78 m. ago Emmanuel Macron warns Europe’s freedom faces 'greatest threat’ since World War Two

French President pledges to increase military budget as his nation celebrates Bastille Day

Events

5 d. ago Even children can help counter threats bringing ‘war to our doorstep’, MPs say

A cross-party committee heard that in Finland, there were lessons on detecting disinformation in primary schools

Events

6 d. ago Europe does not have to choose between guns and butter. There is another way | Shahin Vallée and Joseph de Weck

Yes, defence spending has to rise – but slashing the welfare state to fund it would be a big mistakeEuropean governments are once again haunted by a tough choice between financing the military or spending on social programmes. That, at any rate, is the narrative that has taken hold since Donald Trump’s retreat from the postwar global security order and the urgent pressure to rearm Europe.But to frame the dilemma facing Europe in this way is a big mistake. History teaches us that the political choice has never been about guns or butter, but rather guns or taxes. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Trump news at a glance: President rings in Independence Day by signing his ‘big, beautiful’ bill into law

Democrats warn the major changes will benefit the wealthy and hit low-income earners hardest – key US politics stories from Friday 4 July at a glanceDonald Trump kicked off Independence Day by signing into law his sweeping tax and spending bill during a Fourth of July picnic at the White House.The president’s signature legislation, which he called the “big, beautiful bill”, introduces major changes including tax cuts, spending boosts for defence and more aggressive funding for an immigration crackdown. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How much debt is the UK in and how do we fare compared to other countries?

From defence spending to rising tariffs, governments across the world seem to have gone borrowing daft

Economics

2 w. ago Principles must not be the victim of Starmer’s embrace of realpolitik

The government is right to push up defence spending, but hard power isn’t everything

Politics

2 w. ago ANDREW NEIL: Labour's hollow drivel can't conceal that the defence of the realm is not safe in their hands

Donald Trump pulled off his second triumph of the week when Nato countries committed themselves to increases in defence spending

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Orchestrated grovel’: critics react to Europe’s attempts to tame Donald Trump

Nato chief Mark Rutte derided for calling US president ‘daddy’ and showering him with praise over IranHistory may record this week as the one in which Donald Trump came to Europe to discuss defence spending.Diplomats may remember it as the week in which the art of obsequiousness reached new highs and the sycophants plunged new lows. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Without dignity, leaders fell at Trump’s feet in The Hague – and for what? All Nato’s key problems remain | Martin Kettle

The relationship with him is still volatile, the Ukraine strategy still unclear and Europe needs to ensure its collective defenceNato’s Hague summit was an orchestrated grovel at the feet of Donald Trump. The originally planned two-day meeting was truncated into a single morning’s official business to flatter the president’s ego and accommodate his short attention span. The agenda was cynically narrowed to focus on the defence spending hikes he demands from US allies. Issues that may provoke or embarrass Trump – the Ukraine conflict, or whether the Iranian nuclear threat has actually been eliminated by US bombing – were relegated to the sidelines.Instead, the flattery throttle was opened up to maximum, with Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte leading the assembled fawning. On Tuesday, Rutte hymned Trump’s brilliance over Iran; yesterday, he garlanded him as the vindicated visionary of Nato’s drive towards the 5% of GDP spending goal. No one spoiled the party. As the president’s own ...

Politics

2 w. ago Nato's charm wins over 'daddy' Trump: U.S. will stand by its allies, he says as they pledge extra defence spending

Donald Trump yesterday said he no longer believed Nato is a 'rip-off' and that 'of course' he would help defend Europe if it came under attack.

Politics

2 w. ago Change in Nato mindset brought on by Vladimir Putin as much as Donald Trump

Allies agreed to raise defence spending to counter likely prospect of Russian remilitarisation if Ukraine war endsThe price was high, but for now, at least, a crisis in Nato has been averted. Donald Trump may like to take the credit for almost all of the 32 allies agreeing to a sharp increase in defence spending, but the reality is that the dramatic change in the Nato mindset was as much brought on by Vladimir Putin.The Russian president’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the first jolt, but there is a second uncomfortable reality. If there is a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine, it will mean the deployment of a European-led peacekeeping force in the country – and after a while, Russia’s military might will inevitably recover. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Nato promises historic rearmament shift in bid to win over Trump

Pledge to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP would unleash hundreds of billions of euros

Politics

2 w. ago Trump hails ‘big win’ as Nato states agree to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP

US president appears relaxed and reaffirms commitment to military alliance – though Spain criticisedA relaxed Donald Trump said Nato’s decision to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP was a “big win” for western civilisation in a digressive press conference at a summit in The Hague where he reaffirmed the US’s commitment to the military alliance.There was every sign that the careful setup of the summit – in which most allies in Europe and Canada committed billions more on defence – had worked to keep Trump bound in to the alliance, with the US president praising Mark Rutte, its secretary general, and a night where he “slept beautiful” in the Dutch king’s palace. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump praises Nato leaders’ ‘historic’ agreement to hike defence spending

Prime minister Keir Starmer said this week’s Nato summit had sent a ‘decisive message to aggressors’ as allies ramped up their defence spending

Politics

2 w. ago Nato leaders confirm defence spending will rise to 5% of GDP and say support for members is ‘ironclad’ – Europe live

New defence spending target will be realised by 2035, Nato countries sayAsked about his commitment to Nato’s Article 5, Trump says:We are with them all the way. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump praises Nato states as summit prepares to lift defence spending target

‘Nato’s going to become very strong with us,’ says US president, as secretary general calls him ‘daddy’Europe live – latest updatesDonald Trump praised Nato countries for being willing to lift defence spending to 5% in his first public remarks at the military alliance’s annual summit, and said that he expected the US to be fully in support.The president was speaking at a preliminary press conference in The Hague that was dominated by his rejection of overnight reports that Iran’s nuclear sites were not destroyed in US bombing, and where he was also praised by the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, for being the “daddy”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump confirms commitment to Article 5 at Nato summit and praises 5% defence spending pledges as ‘big news’ – Europe live

US president dismisses speculation about his commitment to Article 5 and celebrates defence spending pledges in EUAsked about his commitment to Nato’s Article 5, Trump says:We are with them all the way. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Babcock hails ‘new era of defence’ as global threats prompt greater spending

The London-listed company reported higher profits and raised its financial outlook.

Events

2 w. ago UK to buy new fighter jets for RAF’s first nuclear role since Cold War

Ministers hailed the announcement as the ‘biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation’

Events

2 w. ago ‘Another big success’: Nato leader flatters Trump before The Hague summit

Mark Rutte is keen to ensure US president’s support and secure agreement among members on defence spendingIn The Hague, the Nato summit waits for Donald Trump – and no one more so than the alliance’s secretary general, Mark Rutte. “You are flying into another big success,” Rutte wrote in a text on Tuesday, one of several released shortly afterwards by a hyperactive Trump as he travelled across the Atlantic in Air Force One.The sycophantic messages from the Dutchman had compared Nato’s plan to dramatically increase defence spending to the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend: “Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do.” Continue reading...

Politics