Edward Stringer
@edstringer.bsky.social
Retired RAF Air Marshal | Senior Fellow - Policy Exchange | Trustee Imperial War Museum
“We are only the 7th largest defence exporter in the world, well behind France and even slightly behind Italy.”
…which is important as it underpins the national Defence Industrial Base needed for wartime resilience.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
…which is important as it underpins the national Defence Industrial Base needed for wartime resilience.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Defence spending spree can transform our economy – if we do it right
A complete review of Britain’s productive capacity is needed for rearmament to be successful
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 17, 2025 at 7:37 AM
“We are only the 7th largest defence exporter in the world, well behind France and even slightly behind Italy.”
…which is important as it underpins the national Defence Industrial Base needed for wartime resilience.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
…which is important as it underpins the national Defence Industrial Base needed for wartime resilience.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Reposted by Edward Stringer
This is incredible. Knock yourself out, Russian intel services. “A person familiar with the matter …said analysts at the agency were verbally informed that they were not to follow or report on Russian threats, even though this had previously been a main focus for the agency.” Cc @ciaranm.bsky.social
March 3, 2025 at 10:39 PM
This is incredible. Knock yourself out, Russian intel services. “A person familiar with the matter …said analysts at the agency were verbally informed that they were not to follow or report on Russian threats, even though this had previously been a main focus for the agency.” Cc @ciaranm.bsky.social
rusi.org/explore-our-...
Agree all written here by @MTSavill 👇 Book mark it too, as it is a good reference doc for hard numbers on defence spending.
Agree all written here by @MTSavill 👇 Book mark it too, as it is a good reference doc for hard numbers on defence spending.
Starmer Shows his Hand on Defence Spending
The increase in UK defence spending announced on 25 February has been welcomed by many, but the focus on fractions of a percent must not be a distraction from the real issue of output and generating a...
rusi.org
February 28, 2025 at 8:49 AM
rusi.org/explore-our-...
Agree all written here by @MTSavill 👇 Book mark it too, as it is a good reference doc for hard numbers on defence spending.
Agree all written here by @MTSavill 👇 Book mark it too, as it is a good reference doc for hard numbers on defence spending.
Reposted by Edward Stringer
‼️ EMERGENCY EDITION ‼️ Is NATO finished? Can Europe defend itself without the USA? Air Marshal @edstringer.bsky.social talks to @gavinesler.bsky.social about the enormity of this moment in history… and why there might be hope.
Listen 📲 linktr.ee/DrillPod
Listen 📲 linktr.ee/DrillPod
February 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
‼️ EMERGENCY EDITION ‼️ Is NATO finished? Can Europe defend itself without the USA? Air Marshal @edstringer.bsky.social talks to @gavinesler.bsky.social about the enormity of this moment in history… and why there might be hope.
Listen 📲 linktr.ee/DrillPod
Listen 📲 linktr.ee/DrillPod
Reposted by Edward Stringer
Hi All, Just sent this out. Its been more than a year since the narratives of Ukraine about to collapse started. These were always overblown and overestimated Russian strength and seemed set on undermining Ukrainian resistance. And yet, they did great damage. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
A Year of Ukrainian "Collapse" Narratives:
They Were Nonsense, But Did Great Damage.
open.substack.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Hi All, Just sent this out. Its been more than a year since the narratives of Ukraine about to collapse started. These were always overblown and overestimated Russian strength and seemed set on undermining Ukrainian resistance. And yet, they did great damage. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
A half-hour conversation with @gavinesler.bsky.social
Both of us hoping not to be overtaken by events before the end of the day…
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Both of us hoping not to be overtaken by events before the end of the day…
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Politics Podcast · 5 Seasons · Updated weekly
podcasts.apple.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
A half-hour conversation with @gavinesler.bsky.social
Both of us hoping not to be overtaken by events before the end of the day…
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Both of us hoping not to be overtaken by events before the end of the day…
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Edward Stringer
Insightful interview by @gavinesler.bsky.social with @edstringer.bsky.social: »Can #Europe cope with the threat of an expansionist #Russia on its Eastern flank, and a #US President who shows no interest in shared values and alliances?« for @thisisnotadrillpod.bsky.social.
This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler - How will Europe defend itself without America? – with Air Marshal Edward Stringer
Listen to This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler - How will Europe defend itself without America? – with Air Marshal Edward Stringer by Podmasters on Podcast Addict. With Trump seemingly determined to destroy any vestige of a US security guarantee for Europe, is the NATO era coming to an end? Gavin Esler talks to Air Marshal Edward Stringer, who served as Britain’s Director-General of Joint Force Development, Strategic Command, about Europe’s new security reality. Can Europe cope with the threat of an expansionist Russia on its Eastern flan
podcastaddict.com
February 26, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Insightful interview by @gavinesler.bsky.social with @edstringer.bsky.social: »Can #Europe cope with the threat of an expansionist #Russia on its Eastern flank, and a #US President who shows no interest in shared values and alliances?« for @thisisnotadrillpod.bsky.social.
Worth doing a careful audit of two things:
The current state of the Russian front-line forces.
The trajectory of the Russian economy and its likely capacity to adjust that.
Otherwise one is negotiating blind.
The current state of the Russian front-line forces.
The trajectory of the Russian economy and its likely capacity to adjust that.
Otherwise one is negotiating blind.
February 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Worth doing a careful audit of two things:
The current state of the Russian front-line forces.
The trajectory of the Russian economy and its likely capacity to adjust that.
Otherwise one is negotiating blind.
The current state of the Russian front-line forces.
The trajectory of the Russian economy and its likely capacity to adjust that.
Otherwise one is negotiating blind.
Worth reposting this now we are no longer talking about contingent risks…
In which @edstringer.bsky.social and @phillipspobrien.bsky.social discuss what a Trump presidency could mean for European security in a worst case scenario, &which steps Europeans should take to mitigate the risk.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now.
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/plann...
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now.
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/plann...
Planning for a Post-American NATO
Europe must prepare for a second Trump term.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Worth reposting this now we are no longer talking about contingent risks…
“The danger to Europe lies in the interplay of three crucial factors: American disengagement, Western European denialism and Russian determination.”
Hard to disagree with @keirgiles.bsky.social
Who will defend Europe? on.ft.com/3EG3xR4
Hard to disagree with @keirgiles.bsky.social
Who will defend Europe? on.ft.com/3EG3xR4
Who will defend Europe?
Caught between an aggressive Russia and a disengaging America, the continent’s western democracies must now rearm — or pay the price
on.ft.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
“The danger to Europe lies in the interplay of three crucial factors: American disengagement, Western European denialism and Russian determination.”
Hard to disagree with @keirgiles.bsky.social
Who will defend Europe? on.ft.com/3EG3xR4
Hard to disagree with @keirgiles.bsky.social
Who will defend Europe? on.ft.com/3EG3xR4
A very good article from the FT that looks in some detail at how European Defence needs to reshape itself as the USA shifts focus - and loses patience…
I contributed a few thoughts.
I contributed a few thoughts.
November 25, 2024 at 10:50 AM
A very good article from the FT that looks in some detail at how European Defence needs to reshape itself as the USA shifts focus - and loses patience…
I contributed a few thoughts.
I contributed a few thoughts.
Macron has posed a good question recently: why do 500M rich Europeans seem to have events and outcomes imposed on them by Trump, Putin and Xi?
November 14, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Macron has posed a good question recently: why do 500M rich Europeans seem to have events and outcomes imposed on them by Trump, Putin and Xi?
Reposted by Edward Stringer
And the article goes far beyond the usual “something must be done”. I thought it was very balanced on individual countries involved. Do I still hope that none of this will be necessary? Of course
September 14, 2024 at 12:14 PM
And the article goes far beyond the usual “something must be done”. I thought it was very balanced on individual countries involved. Do I still hope that none of this will be necessary? Of course
Reposted by Edward Stringer
Some, quite senior, folk have objected to our article’s ‘scare-mongering’. I disagree, we may want to maintain the status quo but it is negligent not to prepare for foreseeable ‘events, dear boy…’
I explained this position in an article back in February:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02...
I explained this position in an article back in February:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02...
Trump is right. Defenceless Europe can no longer freeload off America
Washington’s patience is wearing thin. We must be ready to defend ourselves against Russia
www.telegraph.co.uk
September 14, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Some, quite senior, folk have objected to our article’s ‘scare-mongering’. I disagree, we may want to maintain the status quo but it is negligent not to prepare for foreseeable ‘events, dear boy…’
I explained this position in an article back in February:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02...
I explained this position in an article back in February:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02...
Thank you @helenebismarck.bsky.social
In which @edstringer.bsky.social and @phillipspobrien.bsky.social discuss what a Trump presidency could mean for European security in a worst case scenario, &which steps Europeans should take to mitigate the risk.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now.
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/plann...
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Now.
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/plann...
Planning for a Post-American NATO
Europe must prepare for a second Trump term.
www.foreignaffairs.com
September 14, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Thank you @helenebismarck.bsky.social
Reposted by Edward Stringer
Interesting point from @edstringer.bsky.social: "land battles in war reveal national strength, they don’t determine it."
Conscription is not the answer for Britain to get its military in order
The army chief is arguing for more troops, without a corresponding acceleration of the UK industrial base
www.ft.com
February 6, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Interesting point from @edstringer.bsky.social: "land battles in war reveal national strength, they don’t determine it."
Reposted by Edward Stringer
"Assuming, as CDS does, that the associated economic drag on Russia’s economy will pull it down before the factors already mentioned force Ukraine to sue sounds like banking on a damn close run thing." @edstringer.bsky.social
Annual lecture by CDS: an appraisal - Policy Exchange
“Statecraft” featured heavily in the annual Chief of the Defence Staff’s (CDS) lecture to RUSI. It is a term that is difficult to define precisely but we know it when we see it. For the purposes...
policyexchange.org.uk
January 16, 2024 at 2:23 PM
"Assuming, as CDS does, that the associated economic drag on Russia’s economy will pull it down before the factors already mentioned force Ukraine to sue sounds like banking on a damn close run thing." @edstringer.bsky.social
Reposted by Edward Stringer
This is worth reading
My latest short piece for PX: What the UK Chief of Defence Staff’s annual lecture did, and didn’t, say…
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
January 3, 2024 at 12:03 PM
This is worth reading
I’ve just looked at getting down to London some time this weekend…🫣and😱
Waterloo Station, London, last night
The government’s flagship “Stop The Trains” policy starts 2024 just as strongly as it finished 2023 #delivery
The government’s flagship “Stop The Trains” policy starts 2024 just as strongly as it finished 2023 #delivery
January 3, 2024 at 1:20 PM
I’ve just looked at getting down to London some time this weekend…🫣and😱
My latest short piece for PX: What the UK Chief of Defence Staff’s annual lecture did, and didn’t, say…
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
January 3, 2024 at 11:49 AM
My latest short piece for PX: What the UK Chief of Defence Staff’s annual lecture did, and didn’t, say…
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
policyexchange.org.uk/blogs/annual...
Where is the betting on the UK Christmas No1?
November 30, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Where is the betting on the UK Christmas No1?
Absolutely Lord Cameron.
The UK Govt has had 645 days - more if you add in the pre-invasion warning time - when as framework nation of the Joint Expeditionary Force it could have built such a coalition of defence supply.
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
The UK Govt has had 645 days - more if you add in the pre-invasion warning time - when as framework nation of the Joint Expeditionary Force it could have built such a coalition of defence supply.
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
We can outlast Russia in Ukraine, Lord Cameron tells Nato
Foreign Secretary urges Western allies to collectively increase weapons production in order to help Kyiv towards victory
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 30, 2023 at 12:55 PM
Absolutely Lord Cameron.
The UK Govt has had 645 days - more if you add in the pre-invasion warning time - when as framework nation of the Joint Expeditionary Force it could have built such a coalition of defence supply.
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
The UK Govt has had 645 days - more if you add in the pre-invasion warning time - when as framework nation of the Joint Expeditionary Force it could have built such a coalition of defence supply.
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
This is vitally important. Interesting too that the conclusions push for an industrial policy that makes the UK a welcoming home for high-tech businesses. I agree.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Britain is a fusion superpower, but it must not bet all on the wrong technology
Brexit has allowed for hi-tech industrial strategy to form free from Brussels’ red tape
www.telegraph.co.uk
October 26, 2023 at 10:35 AM
This is vitally important. Interesting too that the conclusions push for an industrial policy that makes the UK a welcoming home for high-tech businesses. I agree.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Time to revisit the geopolitical calculus over ‘The West’s’ support for Ukraine. Some appear to be havering - which looks as if transactional considerations have overtaken the genuinely strategic.
September 22, 2023 at 3:17 PM
Time to revisit the geopolitical calculus over ‘The West’s’ support for Ukraine. Some appear to be havering - which looks as if transactional considerations have overtaken the genuinely strategic.