news about military in society

Extra education cash for charities is part of Michael Gove's ambition to boost military ethos in schoolchildren

Will the Olympics normalise the military 'on the streets'?

In an article called 'Olympic Medals for the Military', Professor Michael Clarke, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute argues that the involvement of the military in the Olympics will bring in "a new relationship between the Armed Forces and the general public", in which the former appear "a normal and average part of a relaxed and self-confident British society.” Clarke notes that "The Chiefs should bottle that spirit for the difficult years to come" and that such "goodwill" will be useful in post-Afghanistan roles, which could include greater involvement in "home security".

Is normalisation of the military within everyday life a good thing? Is it the mark of a "self-confident British society" or would a better indicator of that be a far less visible presence of the military?

The involvement of the armed forces in the Olympics should not pave the way for military solutions to other civil situations.

The clear implication of today's judgment was that "the MoD now has power to militarise the private homes of any person" even when there was no war on, or state of emergency declared.