Interview
Holey alliance: NATO’s worries at 75
- NATO leaders plan to convene in Washington to address the alliance's future, though membership for Ukraine is unlikely due to the ongoing war and limited ally interest in absorbing a conflict zone.
- A potential Donald Trump victory in the November election introduces uncertainty regarding NATO's survival, with expectations that he could end the Ukraine war quickly by abandoning the country and threatening alliance withdrawal if European defense spending is insufficient.
- To prevent a future US administration from easily reversing aid, NATO is expected to adopt a plan overseeing weapon delivery and coordination to Ukraine, though the alliance may struggle to sustain financial and political support through coming difficult months.
- Rising salmon mortality rates threaten the premium brand reputation of Scottish salmon, with offshore farm expansion deemed unlikely due to monitoring difficulties and high costs.
- Current remediation strategies such as lice-proof mesh and plastic containers lack proven effectiveness, potentially associating the industry with "battery fish" narratives while low-level stock shortages remain a distant possibility.
- Low-level geopolitical provocations, such as balloon deployments, carry a risk of rapid, unintended escalation or misinterpretation that could lead to unpredictable outcomes.