Politics

Paul Johnston: Democracies like Ireland and the UK have to move faster and further to combat rogue states

The British ambassador believes the world has become more dangerous and this country’s debate over our security policy is to be welcomed

Joe Biden, US President, shakes hands with Rishi Sunak, British Prime Minister, after a meeting in San Diego, California in March to discuss the procurement of nuclear-powered submarines under a pact between the US, UK and Australia. Picture: Getty

As International Security Director in Britain’s Foreign Office in 2010, I lead our work on the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Notwithstanding the Russian intervention in Georgia in 2008, it took place in what seems today a much more benign security environment. The Russian intervention in Ukraine in 2014 was a greater shock to the system and I was lead UK negotiator in Nato as we shaped the alliance’s response at our 2016 ...