Robert Courts KC

Nothing we didn't already know, but hey, at least nothing going on the world to suggest that now might be the time to shift out of this gear...

Reeves refuses to boost defence spending - www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Reset the UK's energy strategy to focus on affordable power. UK energy policy is on the wrong course. Government must move from clean-power targets to cheaper power.

A year ago I warned that if bills rose & industry lost, politics would shift. Now the Tony Blair Institute calls for energy strategy built around abundant, affordable power. The direction is clear. The question now is how politics & business prepare.

Report: zurl.co/aQTD2

My piece: zurl.co/kiu6D

Keir Starmer set to call for multinational defence initiative to cut rearmament costs UK prime minister expected to push idea of enhanced co-operation at Munich Security Conference

Joint procurement makes sense. Fewer platforms, common specs, bigger runs.

But we can’t shape Europe’s buying club while not funding our own defence properly. SAFE isn’t “cheap money” either: the content rules matter.

So yes: cooperate. But show us the money. Show us the terms.

zurl.co/qmtn8

Former US envoys say Nato not a ‘charity’ but vital for security Sixteen former ambassadors and military chiefs warn Trump that weakening Nato would raise US costs, increase conflict risk and erode America’s global influence

NATO is vital, but it isn’t a charity. These former US envoys are right: the Alliance strengthens American power and saves US money. But Washington is right to demand Europe steps up. Alliances are partnerships, not philanthropy. Will Europe match words with capability?

zurl.co/VykTE

Russia spent roughly half its state budget on the military in 2025, German intelligence says.
Same day: reports Russia is intercepting key European satellites.
That is what “long war” looks like while we talk.
zurl.co/xEIqg

Another morning, another reminder of the strategic geopolitics at stake as the PM lands in China with NATO reporting suggesting ~80% of Russia’s gains in Ukraine are now attributed to drones supplied, enabled or sustained via China.
zurl.co/MzRT1

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We remember the 6 million Jewish men, women & children murdered by the Nazis. As survivors grow fewer - and antisemitism rises again - remembrance is a duty for us all.

#HolocaustMemorialDay
zurl.co/Mtgcd

Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers David Lammy is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years to tackle court backlog

Trial by jury is an ancient English liberty, not a luxury. Lammy and Starmer want to rip it out to clear a backlog. Rather than get a grip of runaway government spending, especially on welfare.

www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...

Sir Michael Ellis is right: antisemitism is seeping into the NHS, BBC, universities and councils. When institutions stop protecting Jews, we are all at risk. Accountability, not warm words. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...

New Defence Committee report is blunt: Britain is not meeting its NATO Article 3 duty and readiness is “glacial”. MPs want a Defence Readiness Bill and a Home Defence timetable. zurl.co/nU0TW

Fuelling up to face the threat: How Voyager keeps the RAF's Typhoons on station BFBS Forces News reporter Simon Newton boards a Voyager refuelling aircraft on the operation that's Nato's answer to airborne threats

Proud to see Voyager at the heart of NATO operations — fuelling RAF Typhoons over Eastern Europe and proving how partnership delivers reach, readiness & reassurance.
www.forcesnews.com/services/raf...

The last of the brightest lights has gone.
Flt Lt John Cruickshank VC, 105, final surviving WWII VC recipient, has died. Wounded 72 times, he sank U-347 & brought his crew home. A life of courage & duty.

zurl.co/Ux9Hl

VJ Day 80 Lives Remembered Part 1 While many in the Armed Forces in Europe saw victory in May 1945, there were thousands still engaged in fighting on the other side of the world in the Far East. For them, the war ended on 15 August 1945.

VJ Day 80. WW2’s end & a proving ground for expeditionary air power. From Hurricanes over Imphal to Dakota jungle drops, RAF crews helped end history’s bloodiest war. Let’s give this anniversary its due. #VJDay #VJDay80
🔗 www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...

RN needs mass as well as capability. As Maritime Minister, I pushed early MASS regulation so the UK could lead in maritime autonomy. Now’s the time to buy & deploy at pace — not wait for perfect plans.
zurl.co/ZamLa

China’s grip on 90% of rare earths is strangling US defence supply chains. Fighter jets to drones now face delays and costs up 60×. Pentagon scrambles with $400m mine boost but no quick fix. UK should take note. zurl.co/TEOzp

South Korea puts brakes on follow-on Apache acquisition: Reports Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said that funding for the program to acquire of 36 Apaches has been cut from 10 billion won ($7.29 million) to just 300 million won, according to local media.

South Korea just froze its $3.5bn Apache deal—slashing funding by 97%. Unmanned systems are now in the frame.

Another step toward the end of manned attack helicopters?

breakingdefense.com/2025/07/...

U.S. Embassy Yemen says Houthis kidnapped many surviving Eternity C crew members | Shipping reports | Shipping Telegraph Yemen’s Houthis took responsibility of the attack on the Greek-managed bulker Eternity C in the southern Red Sea, the second ship attacked

Another graphic Houthi strike on a Greek bulker (Eternity C) in the Red Sea—this threat isn’t going away. No ship is truly safe. Still pretending this is temporary? shippingtelegraph.com/shippi...

Piracy and armed robbery attacks up 50% in first half of 2025 | Piracy news | Shipping Telegraph A total of 90 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2025, a 50% increase compared to

🚨 Maritime piracy surged 50% in H1 2025. Armed attacks rising in West Africa, Singapore Strait & S. America. 100 seafarers held hostage/threatened. Trouble brewing at sea again: shippingtelegraph.com/piracy...

Lord Hermer gives himself ‘veto’ over government policy Documents reveal extent of Attorney General’s ‘power grab’

Hermer’s new guidance turns legal advice into legal veto.
Ministers can be reported for pressing ahead without a “tenable” argument.
International law elevated over Parliament.
It’s not rule of law—it’s rule of lawyers.
🔗 www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

‘Banks would rather have an account with a local car wash than the defence industry’ Financial roadblocks are forcing the UK’s military tech pioneers to risk insolvency – just as demand for advanced defence rises

Banks are “de-banking” UK defence firms: 73 % can’t even open an account, says ADS.

How do we fund rearmament if finance shuts the door? 👀

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...

When MPs say ‘this is Parliament at its best’, beware. It means nobody disagreed. No scrutiny. No dissent. No debate. That’s not democracy - it’s autopilot.
👇
zurl.co/WOFmF

Britain’s debt is a national security risk.
If overseas bondholders lose confidence, we lose control—on interest, defence, even sovereignty.

A must-read from Lord Bridges.
zurl.co/d21y8

£30bn in tax rises now on the table as NATO demands climb and spending promises bite. Fiscal realism is coming—one way or another.
zurl.co/RvK9P

UK plans to expand E-7 radar fleet after earlier cuts The UK Government has signalled its intent to expand its fleet of E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft as part of the newly published Strategic Defence Review.

UK may expand its Wedgetail AEW&C fleet – good - but no cash, no dates. The SDR line is vague: “potential to expand… subject to future decisions.” It's needed - but this is more stalling than strategy. zurl.co/gZl8c

UK exploring idea of F-35A purchase for NATO strike role We’ve corrected our article: UK F-35A purchase intention not confirmed, but being considered based on requriements. Gov’t edited response after error suggested a firm shift.

UK’s F-35A buy hints at a tactical nuclear role - but without a UK warhead or standoff option, is it real deterrence or just theatre?
📎 zurl.co/NiRS1

Military chiefs fear ‘nightmare’ double wars against China and Russia General Sir Patrick Sanders says the Ministry of Defence is wargaming a potential polycrisis in two years

Two wars at once. China moves on Taiwan. Russia grabs the Baltics. UK generals say it’s a real risk—and we’re not ready. No deadlines. No kit. No cash. Just drift. Must-read:

zurl.co/582ou

There’s one basic fact about airliners that has not changed after the Air India crash We should not allow this awful incident to change our perception of aviation

One of the safest things a human can do is fly.

The loss of Flight 171 is utterly appalling, but we should not allow this terrible incident to change our perception of aviation.

This is a sensitive, clear, technically grounded piece by Lewis Page - do read it.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...

📉 72% of UK defence SMEs report banking access issues.

Accounts closed. Loans denied. Firms supplying our armed forces are being debanked

This ADS-backed @telegraphnews.bsky.social piece sounds the alarm: Britain wants to rearm, but vital manufacturers are being quietly cut off.

🔗 zurl.co/VaFhX

Trooping the Colour 2025: Red Arrows perform eco-friendly fly past The Red Arrows performed the world’s first eco-friendly fly past over Trooping the Colour.

A proud RAF moment at #TroopingTheColour — but also a sombre one.

Black armbands, a minute’s silence, and a reminder of aviation’s highs and lows.

Thoughts with all affected by the tragic Air India disaster.

📎 www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family...

Congratulations to the Red Arrows on another world first for the Royal Air Force

Today’s #TroopingTheColour flypast used #SAF & biofuel smoke - the first time anywhere both have been combined.

Smart, serious decarbonisation - just getting on with the job, as they always do 👏 👏 🇬🇧