Western military assistance to Ukraine has been longstanding, but was increased significantly after 2014 and the Russian annexation of Crimea. Recent events, which have seen the build-up of Russian military forces in Crimea and on the eastern Ukrainian border, have once again thrown a spotlight on the nature of Western support to the country.
The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill 2019-2021 was introduced in the House of Commons in March 2020. It was introduced in the House Lords unamended in November 2020. The Lords made a number of amendments and now the Bill is in a period of ping pong. The Commons will consider the latest Lords amendments on 27 April 2021. This paper has been updated accordingly.
Russia recently announced that its military forces that have been building up in Crimea and on the borders of Ukraine in the last few weeks would be withdrawn by 1 May 2021. Russia said its forces had been deployed on exercise, a justification which has been questioned by many analysts. Whether Russia will fully implement its commitment to withdrawal also remains to be seen.
Debate Pack
A Westminster Hall debate on Land rights for religious minorities including Baha’is in Iran is scheduled for Thursday 22 April from 1.30pm until 3.00pm. The debate will be led by Jim Shannon MP.
Research Briefing
There are 14 British Overseas Territories across the globe with a total population of 260,000. The Territories differ greatly in their level of economic and social development and their population size. Since March 2020 the UK Government has been working with the Overseas Territories to ensure that they receive the help they need to manage outbreaks of Covid-19.
Research Briefing
The Government's Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper both placed an emphasis on new and emerging technologies, what have been referred to as "sunrise" capabilities. But will they come at the expense of more traditional warfighting capability?
Research Briefing
This landing page features a new series of Commons Library briefings on the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, and the subsequent Defence Command Paper, which were both published in March 2021.
Research Briefing
This paper provides links to Parliamentary activity on the topic of Global Britain and the Integrated Review. This includes ministerial statements and speeches, debates, select committee reports and Commons and Lords Library briefings.
Research Briefing
This paper briefly examines the UK's nuclear weapons policies, capabilities and programmes. It is one paper in a larger series on the nuclear weapon states.
Research Briefing
One of the dominant headlines of the Government's Integrated Review: Global Britain in a Competitive Age, was the decision to raise the cap on the UK's nuclear stockpile, for the first time since the end of the Cold War.
Research Briefing
The Government published its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy: Global Britain in a Competitive Age, on 16 March 2021. Billed as the biggest review of the UK's defence and security since the end of the Cold War, it sets out the UK's approach to the expected challenges of the next decade.
Research Briefing
Since the acquisition of the UK's first strategic nuclear deterrent in the 1950s, the cost of procuring and maintaining it, and which Government department should finance it, has always been a matter of much debate.
Research Briefing
In February 2020 the Government confirmed the existence of a replacement warhead programme for its nuclear deterrent. A decision on replacement has been long-awaited, with work on possible options underway since 2006.
Research Briefing
In a vote in July 2016 the House of Commons approved the decision to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s. After almost a decade of work on the project, that vote subsequently enabled the programme to move forward into its manufacturing phase, which will see the construction of four new Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines over the next 15-20 years.
Research Briefing
The investigation of former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” is receiving a significant amount of media and parliamentary attention as a result of several ongoing court cases. It is, however, the result of a process which began over a decade ago.
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