Sophia Gaston
@sophgaston
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UK Foreign Policy @ASPI_org & Visiting Fellow @KingsCollegeLon | Research: Euro-Atlantic & Indo-Pacific security, China, Russia, AUKUS | [email protected]
London, UK
Joined May 2014
📢 Job news! I'm delighted to be establishing a UK presence for @ASPI_org as its London-based Senior Fellow. I'll continue to work on UK foreign policy, focused on the integration of threats (China, Russia) and alliances in the Euro-Atlantic & Indo-Pacific security theatres.
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Britain has signed this statement alongside other leading European powers, effectively urging America to ensure that we in Europe (including Ukraine itself) are actually given a role in negotiating Ukraine’s future. The new landscape cannot be a US-Russia decision.
Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity are unconditional. Our priority must now be strengthening Ukraine and providing robust security guarantees. In any negotiation, Europe must have a central role. Our Weimar+ statement ↓
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We in Europe can be angry all we want about America's choice to reprioritise, but we shouldn't be surprised. At every turn, we have chosen wishful thinking, rather than facing up to the reality. We have failed ourselves on security. Europe must wake up.
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HMG should appoint a Defence Innovation and Growth tsar to break through this impasse. Defence spending done well creates jobs, drives growth and supports commercial innovation. So much to be unlocked in the private sector and pension fund investment.
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We should be proud the US asked Britain to chair the Ukraine Defence Contact Group today. It's clear what they want from us. Lifting defence spending is good for growth, innovation, our relationship w/ our key security ally, collective European resilience. Time to step up.
The UK is leading the 26th Ukraine Defence Contact Group today, the first European nation to do so. The Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP has arrived in @NATO HQ along with over 40 partner nations demonstrating our unwavering support for Ukraine in this critical year. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦
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Trump has big plans for US aid. Integrating aid with strategic goals makes sense, but there are lessons from allies on how to avoid risks to national influence and impact. New from me with @ASPI_org's Nerida King & @GregoryEssBrown in @TheNatlInterest:
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It’s a shame our PM didn’t attend this AI Summit. I know there’s scepticism about what it achieved, but it’s an extension of a British-conceived event and an area where we are championing advantage. Plus the seriousness with which Modi attended. Feels like a missed opportunity.
Le Forum des chefs d'entreprise Inde-France joue un rôle clé dans le renforcement des liens économiques et la promotion de l'innovation. Il est réjouissant de voir des chefs d'entreprise des deux pays collaborer et créer de nouvelles opportunités dans des secteurs clés. Cela stimule la croissance, l'investissement et garantit un meilleur avenir aux générations futures. @EmmanuelMacron
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My article on why the UK Government should move to ban TikTok as a matter of democratic urgency:
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If Britain wants to start charting its own course on China, we should start by banning TikTok. Me for The @spectator:
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Interesting that instead of taking advantage of potential friction in the Western alliance, Beijing is bringing back the cast responsible for the ham-fisted tactics of its soft power nadir…
China appoints ‘wolf warrior’ ambassador to manage affairs with Europe
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Britain must learn to take decisions on China without America’s lead - but not only in one direction. If HMG is truly clear-eyed about our interests, it will act to limit China's influence on our democracy. Me in @spectator on why it's time to ban TikTok:
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What’s baffling is the West allowed China to forge its dominance in net zero manufacturing *after* Huawei and the big reckoning on Beijing’s geopolitical intent. Control of green supply chains was achieved in a few years. Now we choose between climate targets & national security.
🚨 Defence chiefs ordered to stop talking in electric cars over fears their Chinese makers can eavesdrop. New fleet of MGs & BYDs pose ‘security risk’. MoD leased hundreds of Chinese EVs & plans to get thousands more in next 2yrs to hit Net Zero targets.
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The reported sums of the Chagos deal would make it one of the largest single budget lines for the entire UK defence/foreign budget. Meanwhile, HMG considers delaying our 2.5% defence pathway, already inadequate, due to apparent budget pressures. An explanation is urgently needed.
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I am once again begging the Government to speak publicly and comprehensively about its *evolving* rationale behind the Chagos Islands deal. This information vacuum is allowing a huge degree of confusion and mistrust to develop around its motivations.
New - Sir Keir Starmer to "push ahead" with Chagos deal, says Mauritius PM. To sweeten the deal, Starmer has offered a) inflation-linked payments, effectively doubling the final settlement b) given Mauritius a veto on 40-year extension to 99-year lease.
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RT @shashj: The problem is that Europe “warming up” to China can very quickly become cutting off your nose to spite face. Trump being awful…
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Small point, but it's important this is fixed in the diary because it will grist the mill of the machine to deliver and keep HMG focused, amidst many competing priorities. Let's hope the ambition is there.
🇬🇧🇪🇺 Big news. First UK/EU leaders summit will be 19 May in London
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