In an era of austerity, many are beginning to question whether the UK still has the ability to be a "force for good" on the global scene. One observer qualified to comment is Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, who has previously held both the offices of Secretary of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and who is currently Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. Addressing the level of defence expenditure, Sir Malcolm noted in converstaion with Nick Watts of Great North News Services that it is best to keep a sense of perspective: "the adequacy of expenditure shouldn't be seen in a vacuum. It is a response to real or imagined threats to our security."

Afghan News Round Up for May 2013 Compiled by Elayne Jude for Great North News Service.

Also dues unpaid, woman journalist recognised and raising journalism standards, social attitudes 

The spectre of Russia sending troops to Afghanistan after the coalition withdrawal was raised by media reports citing Russian Defence Ministry representative Sergei Koshelev saying Russian repair bases may be established in Afghanistan. The Defence and Foreign Ministries subsequently denied the reports.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich: "Moscow's position, that a return of the Russian military to Afghanistan is impossible, remains unchanged."

Moscow and Kabul have a military and technical co-operation agreement, under which Russian specialists repair Afghanistan's Russian-made military equipment. The pull-out in 2014 means that Moscow must re-evaluate the threats that will emerge on the borders of CIS countries.

10 years after the start of the Iraq war, referred to by the MOD as Operation Telic, there have been many reflections on the lessons learnt. The Chilcott report is still awaited, which will offer the definitive view on the rights and wrongs of the decision to go to war. This anniversary has prompted Michael Ancram (Lord Lothian) in converstaion with Nick Watts to consider where Britain stands in the world, and what lessons from the Iraq debacle can be applied as Britain seeks to play a role on the world stage. Ancram can draw on his experience as a minister in Northern Ireland and as Shadow Foreign Secretary.

On the 18th of September 2014 the Scottish people will decide their future. With just over 500 days to go, the campaign is beginning to take shape.This week pProtagonists discussed the defence and security implications of Scottish independence at a seminar convened in London by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) which has also published some related briefing papers on this issue. Angus Robertson MP is the leader of the Scottish National Party and is the SNP's defence and foreign affairs spokesman. His fellow scots from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Parties addressed a question which they considered in terms of "what it...?" whilst Robertson was addressing the question "when" reports Nick Watts of Great North News Services

By David T. Jones & Paul Tyson

With much fanfare, the United States announced a comprehensive and wide ranging "pivot toward Asia." And within Asia there is a "sub-pivot" toward Southeast Asia.

There hasn't been much public discussion of this reordering of U.S. foreign policy, but now that the President and the Secretary of State have made Middle East excursions, let us consider our Asian shift

Promotions, retirements and movements of seniour UK Forces personnel. On star on next page.

Commodore S J Ancona to be promoted Rear Admiral, succeed Maj Gen A J S Storie CBE as ACDS (Militray Strategy) wef 14 October 2013

Major General A J S Storrie CBE to succeed Maj Gen S T Chicken OBE as Deputy Commandand RCDS October 2013

Maj General R E Nugee CBE to succeed Maj General T A Beckett CBE as Chief of Staff ISAF Jt Command wef November 2013

Brigadier Richard F P Felton CBE to be promoted Major General, succeeding AVM C W Dixon CB, OBE as Cdr Jt Helicopter Command wef March 2014

Recording, with thanks for their service to this nation, the passing of former military personnel (see next page) Additional information from families welcome.

George Freidman prepares for another of his strategic journies. I am drawn to a central question regarding the U.S.-European relationship, or what remains of it, he writes in Stratfor. Having been in Europe at a time when that relationship meant everything to both sides, and to the world, this trip forces me to think about NATO. I have been asked to make several speeches about U.S.-European relations during my upcoming trip. It is hard to know where to start. The past was built around NATO, so thinking about NATO's past might help me put things in perspective.