Author: Rupert Wieloch

It is good news that a high ranking economic delegation has been visiting the House of Commons.  Britain is the partner of choice for many Libyans and can assist the reconstruction of its war-torn cities.  With the security situation improving on a daily basis, the country can once again can play a leading role in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

The Daily Mail writes today that the Storm Shadow used in the attacks on Syrian chemical installations is “arguably the most advanced weapon of its kind in the world”.  However, its reliability was questionable when it was first introduced.  We found one that had failed to explode in the Libyan desert in 2012 and sent it back to England on a C-130 aircraft.  I hope the technicians have improved its performance since then.

See Chapter 6 of Belfast to Benghazi for this and other remnants of war stories from Britain’s last attempt to change a regime using Air Power.

http://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667

 

With Declan Lawn this morning to explain the military options available to Theresa May and why the situation in Syria is more complicated than the civil war in Libya.

There are no easy choices.  As predicted, the missile strikes last year have proven to be ineffective, but doing nothing would lead to cries of impotency.  What is needed is a graduated response that ensures humanitarian workers are protected, but does not result in a direct conflict between the USA and Russia.

Does the Prime Minister have the diplomatic skills to finesse this hand?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09ycffg

It is nearly five years since the West turned its back on Western Syria.  Whatever happened to the Responsibility to Protect enshrined in International Law at the 2005 World Summit?  The United Nations should protect the brave humanitarians who are still putting their lives on the line.

We can expect some fireworks when the evergreen John Bolton takes over as US National Security Advisor on 9th April.  But does his appointment signal the end of Jim Mattis as Defense Secretary?

The coordinated approach between the Department of Defense, under General Mattis, and the State Department, under Rex Tillerson, has earned respect around the World.  At a time when international diplomacy is at an all time low, we need a moderating voice to prevent catastrophe.

See page 183 of Belfast to Benghazi for the story of the round table discussion, when John Bolton, as US Under Secretary of State after 9/11, delivered an uncompromising address on American Foreign Policy.

http://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667

Is Russia a distraction from Brexit, or a serious threat?  It is all very well for British politicians to express outrage after the Salisbury attack, but it is their policies that have divested the military of their key capabilities during the past seven years.  If we had a strong Army, Russian leaders would respect us more.  It is time to rebuild the British Armed Forces to the level maintained before the 2010 Security and Defence Strategic Review.

See Chapter 2 of Belfast to Benghazi for a description of military life in the Cold War

http://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667

An invitation from Al Jazeera to comment on what Britain should do with returning ISIS fighters.   The current international criminal justice system (CJS) is neither set up nor capable of dealing with ISIS soldiers, who have committed war crimes against civilians.  Britain is one of a few countries with a CJS that can deal fairly and transparently with war criminals, taking account of the needs of victims and the balance between punishment and rehabilitation.

The International Criminal Court earned a good reputation for its work in the Balkans, but it has failed the effectiveness test in Libya, where none of the crimes against humanity have been resolved.

 

 

 

An invitation to comment on the headline story on BBC Breakfast News about Russian military capabilities developed into an appeal to the Treasury to maintain spending levels on Britain’s Armed Forces.  As I explained on BBC Five Live Drive later in the day, it doesn’t take much for an army to blunt its blade.  Philip Hammond should know better, since he was Secretary of State for Defence in 2011, when he gave me a letter to hand to the new Defence Secretary in Tripoli.

 

BBC Breakfast News

An invitation to help Sky News and BBC Radio with their coverage of the latest Army Recruitment Campaign.  Live with Dominic Waghorn at lunch time and a separate interview for Alistair Bunkall’s evening news report.

The Army still needs robust young men and women, but has to reflect the society it defends.

Belonging is all about Teamwork

 

The Presidency Council has attempted to seize control of the main border point between Libya and Tunisia from the Amazigh, or Berber, tribe that has held it since the revolution.  The western military command, led by former Defence Minister Usama Juwaili, moved tanks and heavy artillery into the area at the end of last week and there is now an uneasy stand-off during the high-level negotiations.

Control of the border with its many smuggling routes, vital both for security and the economy, was one of our key concerns in 2011.  See Chapter 6 of Belfast to Benghazi for an assessment of the tribal rivalry and strategic risks in the North West of Libya.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667