News & Comment

A new study from RUSI, a defence think-tank, argues that “criminals are exploiting a border-security blind spot” in general aviation—a category that covers everything from hot-air balloons to helicopters. Small planes and private jets are a trafficker’s dream. In Britain, their comings and goings are difficult to monitor, according to Cathy Haenlein, the report’s author.

To avoid confusion over who does what during a mass-casualty event, Lungescu said both parties should divide labor: NATO handling intelligence-sharing and military deterrence, and the EU focusing on civilian response.

Often offensives are given away before they start, giving Russia time to move units around and get into a position to counter the advance. So, secrecy in the lead-up is really important...In some cases, it has taken the Russians a while to realise that they were under attack or the scale of the advance.”