November 2006

The Fox Versus the Bear Oksana Antonenko, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said that internal politics within Russia might also have played a part in Moscow’s response. “The Russian reaction was a demonstration of the domestic need for great power self-identity,” said the analyst. “It was very easy to consolidate the political elites against Georgia, because anti-Georgian feelings have been running so high in Russia. Georgia was a very easy...
IISS Convenes 3rd Regional Security Summit The 2006 Manama Dialogue is the primary security institution in the Persian Gulf and will see the greatest ever involvement of the national security establishments of the region with key outside powers. As in previous years, the dialogue will provide a unique forum for the discussion of the regional security challenges by the most senior authorities responsible for defence, foreign policy and security issues in the participating states.
BAE investors take flight at potential loss Andrew Brookes, aerospace analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: "There could be an element here of trying to scare the SFO off. Will it mean they do not buy the Eurofighter? I doubt it." BAE has a long-standing relationship with the kingdom and is an important part of its nascent aerospace industry, employing about 4,600 workers in Saudi Arabia, about half of whom are locals. "If BAE is thrown out and the French had to produce the equivalent Al...
China weighs Iran and Iraq risks for oil Russia is the key player for Iran in terms of thwarting U.N. sanctions," said Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London. China, he said "will come in behind Russia. If Russia accepts stronger sanctions, China will not object. China's relations with the U.S. are more important. Iran has to sell oil to someone and is not going to freeze China out of the market."
Iran makes concession to UN investigation Another analyst who follows Iran closely, Mark Fitzpatrick of London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Natanz and Lavizan were 'two of many areas in which the IAEA has asked additional questions.'He called the Iranian moves 'a small show of cooperation, but I don't think it gets Iran off the hook in terms of meeting the Security Council mandate for full cooperation.'
Bush presses allies for more defense spending "For NATO, Afghanistan has clearly concentrated the minds on the need for greater capabilities," said Alex Nicoll, director of defense analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. "We have seen some decisions by European members to step up purchases of armored vehicles and some movement toward helicopters as a result."
Cameron hints at backing deal on security David Cameron yesterday signalled his support for a potential cross-party deal on national security."We must not allow the security of this country to become a political football - either between the parties or within the parties," he said in a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. The Conservative party leader said that the measures should include the use of communications intercept evidence in court, and giving police new powers to interview alleged...
Cameron says ministers using security "I want to say something directly to Gordon Brown and John Reid. Everyone can see what you're up to," Mr Cameron warned in a speech to a thinktank in London. "There is no shame in seeking the leadership of your party, but to use national security for political ends - that is not leadership." The Tory leader said he believed Mr Blair's motives were "honourable" and he respected his analysis of the security threat. But he had reservations about the way the...
Labour is playing politics on security In a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, he said: "Putting politics before security leads to an approach that is hasty and hysterical - and that can never be in the national interest." He said his party would take "a lot of persuading" to back moves to extend the limit 28-day limit. "Our liberties are not elastic."
Fresh thinking needed in Britain's fight Fresh thinking is needed in Britain's fight against terror, including the appointment of a Cabinet member to supervise security and a security force to patrol Britain's borders, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party said Wednesday. Addressing the International Institute of Strategic Studies, David Cameron said while he respected Prime Minister Tony Blair's analysis of the terror threat — which controversially took Britain into the U.S.-led war in Iraq — he had...
Cameron accuses Brown and Reid In a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies last night Mr Cameron said: "The two main contenders for the Labour leadership are vying to outdo each other on how 'tough' they can sound on security. "And today I want to say something directly to Gordon Brown and John Reid - everyone can see what you're up to.
Cameron attacks Labour's 'tough-guy posturing David Cameron tonight launched a scathing attack on the chancellor and home secretary, accusing them of "tough-guy posturing" on national security to promote their leadership ambitions rather than the interests of the country. In a speech on terrorism and security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Conservative leader said: "The two main contenders for the Labour leadership are vying to outdo each other on how 'tough' they can sound on security.
Cameron rounds on Labour rivals In a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Cameron said: "The two main contenders for the Labour leadership are vying to outdo each other on how 'tough' they can sound on security. "And I want to say something directly to Gordon Brown and John Reid - everyone can see what you're up to. "There is no shame in seeking the leadership of your party, but to use national security for political ends - that is not leadership"
Cameron demands anti-terror unity Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to urge all politicians to work together to combat terrorism. In a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, he will say point-scoring by rival parties is undermining efforts.
Stop 'tough guy' act says Cameron In a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Cameron said there was "no shame" in seeking the Labour leadership. But he added: "To use national security for political ends - that is not leadership. So let's stop the 'tough guy' posturing. Let's put the national interest first. And let's work together to make our country safer."
Live-Blogging the Gulf Security Summit Security Dilemmas has been selected to live-blog the Third Annual Regional Security Summit for the Persian Gulf, now known as the Manama Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which will take place December 8-10
Bahrain 'key cornerstone of stability' Close co-operation is critical to the region's security and future prosperity, he said. "Bahrain is already taking a leading role in helping to build consensus for reform and greater regional co-operation on security issues through the Arab League and GCC," said Dr Howells. Bahrain is again hosting the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Gulf Dialogue on regional security.
Palestinian Unity Government Talks Stall “It is not even about a Syrian interest,'' Livni told an audience at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “They want to dictate the Palestinian conflict. She also said Syria was interfering with efforts to release the captured soldier. She said any time the two sides got close to a deal, “the order came from Syria saying not to release him.''
Time to toughen up on Iran: Israeli FM Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday the international community needed to get tough on Iran or face the "bully of the neighbourhood" having weaker states appeasing it to avoid Tehran's wrath. She said there was a common understanding that Iran posed a global threat so it was time to impose tough sanctions, saying the international community was sending the "wrong message" by quibbling over what to do about Tehran's refusal to freeze its uranium enrichment...
Israel says empowering Abbas is key to peace Empowering Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is key to breaking a deadlock in the Middle East peace process, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in London on Monday, calling him a "weak" but "moderate" leader. Livni said reaching a final-status agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, based on a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian homeland, looked impossible in the short term.