@so3brocktree
🇬🇧 Former soldier. Accidental journalist. Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy. Thoughts & feelings on defence and other things. Not always serious. Views my own. Longer thoughts & feelings on substack: https://crackingdefence.substack.com/
"U.S. Marines opened fire on demonstrators during the storming of the Karachi consulate over the weekend"
"Ten people were killed on Sunday"
"Citing initial information, the two U.S. officials said it was unclear whether rounds fired by Marines struck or killed anyone. "
A good reminder that, however technological and 'precise' war might seem, it is still messy and difficult and riddled with chance and error.
Not to mention horrifically tragic for those on the receiving end of violence.
'Last week, I had a conversation with a taxi driver in Dubai, who proudly stated that in a mad, turbulent world, the Emirate would prosper due to its safety and openness to business. A few days later Dubai found itself hit by Iranian missiles.'
My personal reflections on the war in the Gulf.
War has never been anything but expensive in all possible ways.
A good reminder that, however technological and 'precise' war might seem, it is still messy and difficult and riddled with chance and error.
Not to mention horrifically tragic for those on the receiving end of violence.
Reports circulating on social media late this evening claim there has been an impact or explosion caused by Iranian weaponry at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/reports-of-p...
Yeah I can imagine.
In troubled times, I often fall back on Jane Austen. She just gets better each time I read her novels.
'Last week, I had a conversation with a taxi driver in Dubai, who proudly stated that in a mad, turbulent world, the Emirate would prosper due to its safety and openness to business. A few days later Dubai found itself hit by Iranian missiles.'
My personal reflections on the war in the Gulf.
Iranian drones hit French naval air base in UAE — French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed on X that "a hangar at our naval base adjacent to the Emirati base was hit in a drone attack targeting the port of Abu Dhabi." Damage is material damage and no injuries reported.
I'm aware, though I've left naval vessels off as in a conflict they will be likely tasked elsewhere rather than for direct home protection (and a Type 45 won't help much for protecting a number of important locations in the UK).
A quick and dirty comparison of air defence capability between the UK and UAE.
Apart from slightly less fighters, the UAE has far more - and longer-ranged - air defence than the UK does, and unlike the UK has dedicated ballistic missile defence.
A quick and dirty comparison of air defence capability between the UK and UAE.
Apart from slightly less fighters, the UAE has far more - and longer-ranged - air defence than the UK does, and unlike the UK has dedicated ballistic missile defence.
On top of this - people are people. Sneering at expatriates in Dubai who are currently under fire from the safety of your own home does not do you much credit, imo.
Let's have a bit of empathy for all the civilians across the Middle East at the moment, wherever they might be.
On top of this - people are people. Sneering at expatriates in Dubai who are currently under fire from the safety of your own home does not do you much credit, imo.
Let's have a bit of empathy for all the civilians across the Middle East at the moment, wherever they might be.
Fuck even Oman has been hit now, despite being the mediator over the past few weeks.
There is a British military facility at Duqm - I wonder if it was an intended target.
Fuck even Oman has been hit now, despite being the mediator over the past few weeks.
There is a British military facility at Duqm - I wonder if it was an intended target.
UAE says it destroyed 132 Iranian missiles and repelled 195 Iranian drone attacks.
A week ago I took a taxi in Dubai and the driver rightly noted that in a turbulent world and fraught region, the UAE's primary selling point was its guaranteed stability.
How quickly things change.
Current sort of message I'm sending to my family at the moment.
Fuck me.
Still going.
My friends and family can hear them.
🇬🇧🛳️ The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre has received numerous reports from officers on ships operating in the Persian Gulf that the Strait of Hormuz is closed.
The Iranian military is effectively blocking traffic. However, ships are still moving.
Current sort of message I'm sending to my family at the moment.
Fuck me.
Fuck me. Surreal to see the Palm get hit.
My family and friends out there can hear the explosions.
Fuck, the idea of Dubai being hit is surreal. I was there three fucking days ago.
Its been the beacon of safety and stability in the region all the time we lived there.
A week ago I took a taxi in Dubai and the driver rightly noted that in a turbulent world and fraught region, the UAE's primary selling point was its guaranteed stability.
How quickly things change.
Fuck, the idea of Dubai being hit is surreal. I was there three fucking days ago.
Its been the beacon of safety and stability in the region all the time we lived there.
Fuck me. Surreal to see the Palm get hit.
My family and friends out there can hear the explosions.
