27th June 2013
Paris, France
We are here in the Embassy today for a special event where we have representatives of the British security industry, presenting their products to French clients and looking to develop partnerships. This is a growing industry, which is producing products intended to help keep people safe, to help fight crime and terrorism, and it’s an […]
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20th June 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
It is hard to comprehend the life of refugees who have been displaced from their homes. Some separated from their loved ones. Unable to earn a living to support their families. Their children forced out of school and living in compounds not knowing when things will go back to normal. (If they ever do – […]
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1st May 2013
Paris, France
We’ve just had the publication of the French White Paper on defence and security, the “Livre blanc”. It’s been a great privilege for me to be part of the commission that was put together to advise the Government on writing this White Paper.
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12th April 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Last year was a hugely significant year for Somalia. After two decades of civil war, the country took its first steps towards a new beginning. A new and more legitimate government is in place, and many Somalis are starting to think of a better future. The UK’s Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds (MP) visited Ethiopia […]
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9th January 2013
Nairobi, Kenya
A year ago, few predicted that Somalia would see such significant changes; yet 2012 saw some real progress in Somalia – including the end of the Transition; a new Parliament (with a significant number of new MPs); the election of a new, reform-minded Speaker and President and a desire for a different type of politics. […]
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20th December 2012
Washington DC, USA
Yesterday, the UK Prime Minister announced to Parliament plans for a reduction in UK military forces in Afghanistan in 2013. The decision to “draw-down” our forces from 9,000 to around 5,200 reflects the significant progress in transitioning security responsibility to the Afghan government. This is a positive outcome and testament to the effort put in […]
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24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The UN General Assembly is currently discussing the terms of a resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty. It is likely to go to a vote next month. The last time there was such a vote (in 2010), 109 states were in favour, 41 against, and 35 abstained. The United Kingdom and […]
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1st October 2012
Washington DC, USA
The following is a guest post by Lieutenant General Nicholas Carter, who was given responsibility for leading the UK’s Army 2020 Team to design the future Army. From October 2012 he will be Deputy Commander HQ ISAF and the UK’s National Contingent Commander in Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Nicholas Carter was visiting Washington last week and in this guest […]
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19th September 2012
Dublin, Ireland
I am delighted to announce that Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Minister Philip Hammond are visiting Warsaw today. This is the latest high level visit by UK Ministers to Poland. They will discuss a range of issues with Foreign Minister Sikorski and Defence Minister Siemoniak. These will include the Future of Europe and the […]
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20th August 2012
Washington DC, USA
The following is a guest post by Nic Hailey, who was a Counsellor – Political, Press, and Public Affairs in the British Embassy in Washington, now the new Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy in Kabul. He writes about his initial impressions after his first few weeks in Afghanistan. After four wonderful years in Washington, I’ve […]
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