Philip Shetler-Jones

Just going to point out that in just the last month we’ve seen the most intense, multi-modal warfare between two nuclear-armed states ever (India & Pakistan) and now possibly the largest-ever attack on nuclear-capable assets in a nuclear state (UA vs Ru, today).

The times they are a-changin’.

Hats off to Ukraine for their cunning and daring — demonstrating they can strike anywhere in Russia, raising the cost to Putin domestically, specifically targeting dual-capable systems to show they’re not afraid of escalation. Brilliant plan, well executed.

Better than you might think.

Rewind and Reconnoiter: Post-Brexit British Power on the Global Stage - War on the Rocks In their 2016 article, “After Brexit, a Bold Britain: A Game Plan for Remaking British Power,” Philip Shetler-Jones and James Rogers laid out a blueprint

How do pre-Brexit recommendations hold up in a post-Brexit world? warontherocks.com/2025/04/rewi...

I plead guilty to being optimistic about UK foreign policy. The more I got into writing this, the more surprised I was at the extent to which things played out according to our prescription. MANY others at the time had more than a 'tiny' bit too much pessimism.

A beautiful painting. The juxtaposition of the modern lines of the frigate with the antiquity of the scenery is really striking.

UK needs a sub-strategic nuclear deterrent argue experts The UK must regenerate a sub-strategic nuclear deterrent, according to a new paper from the Council on Geostrategy. The authors warn that growing Russian threats and uncertain US guarantees demand a more flexible British nuclear posture.

The UK must regenerate a sub-strategic nuclear deterrent, according to a new paper from the Council on Geostrategy. The authors warn that growing Russian threats and uncertain US guarantees demand a more flexible British nuclear posture.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-needs-a-s...

China may plead innocence but it still keeps Putin’s war machine running Beijing allows Russia’s sanction-stricken defence industry to stay afloat, say Western officials

"It may prove China forfeited some of its own legitimacy as a trustworthy global leader for short-term gain, but so far it has not been made to pay any price for its support to Vladimir Putin" @telegraphnews.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

Rewind and Reconnoiter: Post-Brexit British Power on the Global Stage - War on the Rocks In their 2016 article, “After Brexit, a Bold Britain: A Game Plan for Remaking British Power,” Philip Shetler-Jones and James Rogers laid out a blueprint

‘In light of today’s challenges facing 🇬🇧 and Europe, many are already starting to look back on #Brexit and wonder what all the fuss was about,’ write @james-rogers.bsky.social and @shelter-jones.bsky.social in @warontherocks.bsky.social 👇

🎙As China increases its ‘grey zone’ pressure, can Taiwan defend its sovereignty without sparking open conflict? Listen to the latest episode of Global Security Briefing to learn more: bit.ly/3EbbHRI

❗New In-Depth Paper❗

Capping a two-year NATO SPS project, we are absolutely delighted to publish our report entitled "Primed for Deterrence? NATO and the Indo-Pacific in the Age of Great Power Competition".

Read🔸 csds.vub.be/publication/...

AUKUS partnership strengthened with Prime Minister appointing new Special Representative Sir Stephen Lovegrove appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS.

The appointment of an #AUKUS Special Representative by the UK PM @Keir_Starmer indicates that he sees its importance going beyond defence, and signals that it is an endeavour of national priority.
Will the USA and Australia follow suit?
www.gov.uk/government/n...

I tricked Russian State media into reporting nonsense about an aircraft carrier named HMS Prince Andrew with "go faster stripes and crayons", it's been a fantastic week.

Russia–Ukraine War: Why China Chose Interests Over Values by Cheng Yawen "Individuals may 'sacrifice their lives for righteousness', but a nation cannot afford to do so. A nation that cannot even guarantee its own survival has no place to bluster about morality."

Distinguishing moral values and national interests is a favourite game of 'realist' theorists; despite the fact that extracting morality from politics is one of the least realistic things you can imagine.
'Russia war: Why China Chose Interests Over Values'
www.sinification.com/p/russia-ukr...

Taiwan’s Evolving Response to China’s Grey Zone Actions This policy brief traces the emergence and defining features of the grey zone concept, looking at China’s actions and Taiwan’s responses.

www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Next time someone tries to tell you 'Europe' is getting serious about its own defence, cast your mind back to this.

Time for an Update to the UK’s Taiwan Policy Rising China–US tensions risk destabilising the Taiwan Strait, challenging the UK’s longstanding position and exposing its economic, security and global interests to significant risks.

rusi.org/explore-our-...