News, Articles and Comment

Ed. When was the last time we spent enough on Defence and Security, the nation’s insurance policy? The problem, of course, is that democratic nations decide the answer to this question through elected politicians, not the military; many wise people are involved in reviewing and offering their best analysis of the likely future turn of events but this, as history regularly reminds us, is an inexact science. It all boils down to how effectively we communicate the power of the argument – articulating the threat and the likelihood versus the size of the purse and the amount of risk a government is prepared to accept in the level of military and security capability it wishes to invest in.

Ed. Jeremy Blackham raises the alarm concerning the future costs of nuclear weapons modernization, which will have to be managed alongside a vast array of conventional forces recapitalization.

Ed. The author argues that there is a world of difference between the promise of the AUKUS agreement and its actual implementation; considering the real strategic challenges and political imperatives facing the partner nations. A 10 minute read.

Ed. As a memorial and in tribute of his extensive contributions, the Digital and Editorial teams have compiled a complete archive of James Goldrick’s Naval Review letters, articles, reviews and eulogies.

Ed. The author continues his long-standing [109/4, p. 528] critique of the efficacy of nuclear deterrence.

Ed. Reflections on the current state of the UK’s strategic positioning amidst the background of an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world. The author posits that the reality of medium power status means fundamentally reassessing the often ideologically driven assumptions that have brought the UK and the Royal Navy to this moment in history. A 40 minute read.

Ed. Between 1978 and 2022 James Goldrick wrote 45 ‘Letters From Australia’, providing the Naval Review with invaluable insights from the island continent. Reprinted here are the first two letters, published in 1978 [66/4, p. 313] and 1979 [67/2, p. 119], to provide the younger reader with a taste of Master Ned’s trademark didactic analysis and wit. A memorial service for Rear Admiral Goldrick is being held on April 5th at Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra.

Ed. Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham considers the future of Britain’s strategic nuclear deterrent, and the difficult choices that will have to be made in an environment of increasing threats, tightening budgets, and relentless price-inflation. Originally published 28 February 2023 by CityForum (https://www.cityforum.co.uk/the-strategic-choices-for-defence-by-sir-jeremy-blackham/). A 20 minute read.