We're drifting into a deadly arms race. Why can't we curb this Cold War thinking?

WE are apparently sleepwalking into a massive arms race with no contrary or critical views expressed. Not only is an arms race a financial bonanza for the grotesquely rich, but it is paid for by society’s poor. The pretext is the war in Ukraine and fear of Russia. Anyone who has paid attention to this three-year-old war could not help notice the abysmal military performance of Russia. Supposedly the world’s second most powerful military power, Russia has sustained a hundred thousand casualties and worked through most of its ground, military hardware all to little effect on the battlefield. The war has revealed huge inadequacies in the Russian military who have resorted to the use of foreign troops and prisoners led from the rear by leaders tainted by corruption and incompetence.It is understandable that ex-Soviet satellite states are rearming, but the combined strength of Western states far outweighs Russia in weapons and population. Are we to obey President Trump and hugely increase arms spending or make a reasoned assessment of the risks we face and act accordingly ? Should we consider the effect on Russian people of the threat of NATO, especially if introduced into Ukraine? Would a change of stance on the part of the west calm fears in Russia? For years UK has spent a greater proportion of GDP on defence than other European countries but whether it has spent wisely is another question. Two giant aircraft carriers, costing multi- billions, raises the question, 'what for?' and could the money be spent more effectively? We need to dispense with Cold War thinking, make rational decisions about the level of threat and make defence provision accordingly. Generals and military experts are not always our best advisors.John Inglis, Arran.

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