News

Original reporting and the latest political headlines from across the UK.

Our Articles

Mainstream Headlines

Filtering by:Tag: defence×Source: The Guardian Politics×Clear all

855 headlines found — Page 23 of 72

The Guardian Politics19 Jun 2026

Tired of Iran, Trump refocuses on Ukraine – podcast

Donald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, trying to bring an end to a war he helped start. Satisfied his work is done in the Middle East, Trump now wants to move onto peace in Ukraine. But is it that easy? Jenna Amatulli speaks to the Guardian’s Andrew Roth about the chances this peace deal will succeed, and why Trump is turning his attention back to Ukraine Archive: AP, Reuters Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics18 Jun 2026

Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address

US defence secretary addresses allies in latest attempt to get Europe to raise military budgets Pete Hegseth has announced a review of US military presence across Europe, in a combative address to Nato allies where he threatened to cut force numbers in countries spending the least on defence. The US defence secretary, speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, accused some countries of “free riding” and others of being shameful for not allowing their airbases to be used by US j

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics18 Jun 2026

Truss the saviour exposes ‘Labour’s secret plan’ | John Crace

Totally lacking in self-awareness, ex-PM also appears to be ignorant of something everyone else has known for ages UK politics live – latest updates It’s one of the great philosophical questions of our age. Or any age, for that matter. If Liz Truss didn’t exist, would it be possible to imagine her? Could anyone conceive that someone so brain-meltingly dim could have once been our prime minister? And even if they could, would they have dared to believe that in harness with this industrial-stren

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

UK officials expect Russia to retaliate for seizure of shadow fleet oil tanker

No formal warning issued to captains or ship owners, but industry body says they are exercising greater vigilance British officials believe Russia will try to retaliate for the Royal Marines’ seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos, prompting UK ship owners to exercise greater vigilance until tensions with Moscow ease. Military sources said the UK had considered possible responses to the seizure of the vessel carrying Russian crude worth $40m (£30m) to India, and anticipate that the Kremlin will want

Defence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Starmer’s denial in Labour leadership will not save him but he’ll go down fighting

Keir Starmer is a decent man but that is not enough for a party who want a good communicator. Step forward Andy … On days like these you can’t help feeling you’re living in a parallel universe. Either I’m going mad or Keir Starmer is. The third possibility that we’re both going mad is too disturbing to contemplate. What to make of the prime minister’s Sky News interview at the G7 in Évian in which Starmer graciously offered Andy Burnham a “big role in government” if, as expected, he wins the Mak

Defence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Russia warship fires warning shot at British couple – The Latest

Keir Starmer has called the firing of warning shots by a Russian warship at a British yacht sailing across the Channel on Tuesday ‘deeply concerning and reckless’. Russia’s defence ministry said the yacht was on a ‘dangerous course’ and several attempts were made to contact it – a claim disputed by the retired couple onboard the 40ft yacht. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Starmer warns against ‘looking backwards’ to Brexit after rivals back UK’s return to EU

Speaking at the G7 summit, prime minister says he stands by Labour’s manifesto pledge not to rejoin bloc Europe live – latest updates UK politics live – latest updates The UK and the European Union should not waste time “looking backwards” to Brexit, Keir Starmer said on Wednesday, as he comes under pressure to reconsider rejoining the EU. The prime minister reaffirmed his government’s manifesto commitment to not re-enter the bloc, but said there had been “real progress” with the relationship

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Cross purposes: how the England flag got caught in a tug-of-war between rightwing nationalists and football fans

Last summer the St George’s cross was co-opted by anti-immigrant groups. Now, as the World Cup begins, some communities are reclaiming it as a symbol of a very different sort of pride As I drove into London with my daughter a week ago, we passed a roadside pub festooned with dozens of England flags. Our eyes met in recognition: we were in one of those areas, we assumed. In the eyes of many, St George’s cross flags have become a kind of territorial marker in the English landscape, signifying a ce

ImmigrationDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Surprisingly benign UK inflation data signals a softer Iran war hit than feared

War’s impact on UK cost of living more muted than first forecast suggesting fuel price rises have failed to spill out more widely across UK plc UK inflation stays at 2.8% as slowing food prices offset transport costs Business live – latest updates As soon as Iran choked off oil supplies through the strait of Hormuz at the start of March, there were dire warnings about rocketing UK inflation and the drastic action the Bank of England might take to rein it in. At one point, investors were expec

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Russian warship incident in Channel deeply concerning, says Starmer

PM says firing of warning shots at yacht was reckless and UK is dealing with proxy attacks from Russia ‘every day’ Warning shots fired by a Russian warship sailing across the Channel on Tuesday morning were “deeply concerning and reckless”, Keir Starmer said from the G7 summit on Wednesday as he warned that the UK was dealing with proxy attacks from Russia “every single day”. The prime minister said the Ministry of Defence had assessed that the Russian vessel was drifting and fired the shots wit

Defence
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Lib Dems to urge Labour to drop ‘torpor and timidity’ on EU and rejoin single market

Exclusive: Ed Davey to make call ahead of 10th anniversary of Brexit vote, in strengthening of party’s position on EU The Lib Dems will urge Andy Burnham to end Labour’s “torpor and timidity” towards the EU as they call for the UK to rejoin the single market, in a notable strengthening of their own position. Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote next week, Ed Davey will challenge Burnham to scrap Labour’s red lines on the customs union and single market if he becomes prime minister an

Defence
The Guardian Politics16 Jun 2026

The tide is turning on Thames Water: special administration looks best

It is still not totally clear what the government wants but the political mood seems to be shifting towards a decision Thames Water nationalisation moves closer as government objects to rescue deal At last, Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, has opined on the future of Thames Water. So what’s it to be? A takeover by the company’s creditors? Special administration, which would allow anyone to pitch up with an offer while the state temporarily funds the company? Or even a quick flush to f

PoliticsDefenceEnvironment