Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - Today at 05:31:59 PM

I think most are in the Indian Ocean.

Also—ISW which has been doing high quality daily reports stated today their satellite data partner at DOD request will now delay all satellite imagery by 14 days, so ISW will no longer be able to confirm aerial strikes in its daily maps.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Tamas - Today at 05:30:19 PM

I assume there are no meaningful US naval assets in the Persian Gulf, right? Being stuck behind a minefield and all

#3

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - Today at 05:29:11 PM

Hegseth is claiming 16 Iranian minelaying vessels destroyed before entering the Strait, no mines deployed.

Obviously anything he said is worth less than the 30 pack of Busch Light he pounded last weekend, so we'll see what some reputable sources say.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - Today at 05:25:01 PM

It's obvious to all it was a bad idea, but now we

Who is this "all" you speak of?  Most Republicans still approve of the war and are willing to fight to the last Democrat to topple the Iranian regime if need be.

Oh you seem to believe if a Republican politician thinks this war was a foolish mistake that means they are willing to cross Trump over it? That isn't the way this country or that party work anymore. They know it is a mistake and they'll let Trump continue regardless of the consequences.

That being said the use of "all" was clearly hyperbolic language.

#5

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:09:45 PM

Just on the point of opinion polling suggesting they were unpopular - that literally only happened when Starmer announced it. They had like 60%+ support until Starmer made his announcement. I can't really comprehened how unpopular you have to be to turn the Great British public civil libertarian on anything

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Jacob - Today at 04:58:30 PM

I hadn't even considered that until now. I'll be really impressed if Trump manages to turn the Arab states against the US the way he turned European allies.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by garbon - Today at 04:56:48 PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62d1ql5w0vo

Relaunched digital ID will make it easier to access services, minister says

Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones has said the government's revamped digital ID scheme will make it easier to access public services on your smartphone.

Ministers ditched plans, announced in September, to make digital ID compulsory for everyone starting a new job after a backlash from the public.

It has now been relaunched as a voluntary scheme, which Jones said could eventually allow people to do everything from managing their childcare to filling in tax returns on a "one stop" app.

He said the final shape of the system would be decided with input from the public - but the Conservatives attacked it as a "costly vanity project".

When digital ID was announced last year by Sir Keir Starmer, it was touted as a way to crack down on illegal working in the UK.

But the government did a U-turn on making it compulsory for right-to-work checks, after polling suggested the idea was becoming increasingly unpopular, external with voters.

Critics - who signed a three million strong petition against the plans - were also concerned about security risks and a creeping "Big Brother" state intruding into people's lives.

Now ministers have switched to promoting digital ID, which will be held in a wallet on smartphones, as a way to make life easier for people using public services.

Jones unveiled a prototype of what he called "government by app" at a press conference in Downing Street and launched an eight-week consultation exercise to seek the public's views, external on how the technology should work.

Jones said: "People too often dread their interactions with public services. Endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and having to tell your story multiple times to different parts of government.

"I want to change that and make public services work for you. The new digital ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely."

He said the original intention of cracking down on illegal working still stood because digital right-to-work checks would become compulsory by the end of the current Parliament, in 2029.

But digital ID will not now be the only way of proving your identity to employers - people could choose to use other documents, such as passports or eVisas, instead.

Jones said he had taken the unusual step of setting up a "people's panel", bringing together 100 individuals from across the country with different backgrounds to advise on the scheme.

The cost of the digital ID scheme will not be revealed until after the consultation, but Jones insisted it could save taxpayers "billions" in the long run by cutting red tape.

He also insisted the government "will not leave people behind" with the rollout and promised it would "help those who are less confident in technology or don't have other forms of ID, like a passport".

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats scrapped Labour's first attempt at an ID scheme, which was based around physical cards and a centralised database, when they came to power in 2010.

The two parties have criticised Labour's latest proposals.

Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said: "This consultation is another step towards a digital ID scheme that has become nothing more than a costly vanity project."

He added: "The Conservatives are completely opposed to any move towards mandatory digital ID and will stand firmly against it."

Lib Dem Home Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart told MPs: "People should not be forced to turn over their data simply to go about their daily lives."

She said any ID scheme must also "ensure privacy" to prevent misuse or surveillance.

Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice said the Gov.uk portal worked well but warned it must not be used to bring "a digital ID card system through the back door".

Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance charity, said: "International experience shows that so-called voluntary digital ID systems can quickly become essential in practice, as both public and private services begin to rely on them.

"When this happens, offline alternatives can become slow, complex, or difficult to access, effectively creating barriers for people who cannot engage digitally."

Digital ID will be based on two government-built systems - Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet.

One Login, is a single account for accessing public services online, which the government says more than 12 million people have already signed up to.

Gov.UK Wallet has not yet been launched but it could eventually allow citizens to store their digital ID - including name, date of birth, nationality and residence status, and a photo - on their smartphones.

Users will need a Gov.UK One Login to access the wallet.

The system will be built in-house by the Government Digital Service, rather than being outsourced to private companies, Jones said.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 04:55:27 PM

I was kind of shock that the one (!) destroyer (!) supposed to defend Cyprus has just now left the docks after a week of "we are sending it to defend Cyprus"

Like, whatever happened to the Royal Navy? It's one Destroyer FFS

No it's very bad. This was from last week - and there was a better version of this which I can't find. But from what I can see this is basically accurate - from the top it's carriers, destroyers, frigates, subs:


Duncan's just finished training exercises and is staying in home waters (suspicion is it might need some light maintenance too). HMS Dragon maintenance has been rushed to completion so it's ready to go.

There's some defence for the government - apparently the Tel Aviv embassy was waving a red flag about an imminent attack several weeks ago, the US apparently signaled an attack was coming three weeks in advance. But today in the Commons the Defence Secretary, John Healey, says he was only advised to send the Dragon to the Eastern Med three days into the war. I have some sympathy for that but also think the job of a political leader is partly to push and ask for options.

I'd add that this is something where all parties really are to blame. There's lots of harking back to the size of the navy in the Cold War but you don't even need that. In 1998 the Strategic Defence Review proposed cutting the number of frigates and destroys from 35 to 32, subs from 12 to 10 and two big carriers instead of three small ones - that would be adequate so even a post-peace dividend RoyaL Navy would do. But shortly after that review we got Blair's wars and Brown's budgets which didn't raise defence spending but massively refocused it on counter-insurgency and the army, not the navy and major, interstate conflict. Then obviously Cameron and Osborne seriously cut the defence budget (navy bearing a lot again) and successive other PMs didn't really care, plus inflation over those years. So we're down to 13 frigates and destroyers who are being overworked and needing a lot of maintenance and six subs.

There has been investment in recent years so there are 13 new frigates planned (ordered at the same time as the carriers) and in the pipeline but they won't be ready until the early 2030s. So we're currently in a "frigate gap" which the MoD has been aware of for a while where the old ones are really knackered and the new ones aren't ready. Luckily the world is very still and peaceful while we prepare, leisurely.

I hope the realisation of just how small the fleet's become will focus minds and political will as I think it's been a bit of a shock to the public and (less excusably) politicians.

I'd add that it's fantastic the French have deployed - but this goes to my point that Europe should aim to divide responsibilities. Because part of the reason France could deploy was they were already planning a deployment, but to the High North in part as a gesture of support over Greenland but against increasing Russian adventurism in the North Atlantic. That deployment has been cancelled to go to the Med.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by HVC - Today at 04:43:43 PM

Trump has shown he cares little for allies. If he can get his mission accomplished photo op on a boat and some slaps on the back he'll be ecstatic. Maybe throw in a few peace prizes for bringing peace to the middle east. Then it'll all start over once epstein is in the news again. What people should worry about is who he'll attack next after Cuba to get ahead of the news cycle.

#10

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 04:28:44 PM

While Trump suggested yesterday he might want to TACO out soon, t0 does look like Iran is going for the Hotel California strategy.  If we pull out while leaving Hormuz a dangerous mine-laden mess, I am sure our ME allies will be very pleased.