Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia | FRHistS | @warstudies | @kcl_CGS | Postwar Japan as a Seapower. Naval affairs. Strategy. Indo-Pacific. One ping only.
London, England
Joined March 2013
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The Strategic Significance of the Maritime Theatre in the Russia–Ukraine War - good morning X.
Delighted and honoured this piece Dan Hallett and I penned is out with @RUSI_org flagship publication- a short thread about our argument: tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.…
Alessio Patalano retweeted
Honoured to be aboard @HMSPWLS to commemorate #RemembranceDay as @FutureAtlantic team bring together defence and security leaders from across @NATO and allies. #AFF26
@GenGJenkinsRM @marksedwill @StephenWatson39 @wesstreeting @LukePollard @TomTugendhat @jcartlidgemp @shashj @haynesdeborah @LOS_Fisher @SheridanDani @peterfrankopan @SecWar @alessionaval
Alessio Patalano retweeted
Could the power of one be greater than ten?
⚓The Royal Navy has signed an agreement with JEF allies, tying together ten nation navies to operate as a single maritime force - but how far does this new partnership go?
Alessio Patalano retweeted
In the old days they called it SSNs and SSKs, and surface warships, in the seas off Arctic Russia, where its primary naval units/bases to threaten the NATO nations not least the UK were (and still are). Put 'em on the back foot...and the UK was tip of spear, along with USN. Govts since 1990s chucked it all away. Zero to offer right now - get the SSNs to sea again, procure some SSKs. Prioritise that ahead of F-35A.
🚨 The UK and its NATO allies should consider going “on the offensive” to defend against Russia - put pressure on the Kremlin, cause them a dilemma and create jeopardy - rather than leaving the initiative with Moscow and defending against whatever Russia does, Lord Mark Sedwill, a former Cabinet Secretary and long-serving UK National Security Adviser, has said.
He said this could be done by using conventional or hybrid defences.
Lord Sedwill, a highly regarded and leading voice in the security community, was speaking on the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier in Norway at the opening of a conference attended by serving military chiefs and ministers as well as members of the defence industry from across Europe and beyond.
Lord Sedwill posed three questions for the attendees.
Firstly, how can the UK and its allies defend effectively the North Sea and the North Atlantic - Britain’s “frontline” with Russia?
Secondly, how can allies defend against Russian, Iranian and other hostile grey zone attacks such as cyber hacks, assassinations and hoax bomb threats?
But his third point was the most strident.
Here is what Lord Sedwill said at the Atlantic Future Forum:
“This is something I really do want to emphasise. It is not just about defence.
“NATO is a defensive alliance but the most effective form of defence is often to cause a dilemma, it is often to go on the offensive against our adversaries.
“So how can we present our Russian adversaries in particular with a set of strategic dilemmas?
“How do we make them feel they are under threat? Not simply leave the initiative to them and defend against it.
“That is true whether we are talking about land, sea and air but it is also true if we are talking about the hybrid space, space, cyber space and indeed in the information space as well.
“I hope we can think that through as well.
“How - whether it is in conventional defence or in hybrid defence - can we put some pressure on the Russians?
“Because deterrence requires not just effective defence, it does require there to be some jeopardy to our adversaries in continuing to probe us.”
Alessio Patalano retweeted
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attending
@FutureAtlantic in Norway. A powerful reminder that peace must never be taken for granted.
Today, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace and reaffirm our commitment to unity, solidarity and collective security.
Kaboom. That’s the starting point. In a maritime century, security starts with a realisation that the sea enables economies and societies to remain open and stable.
That’s why it’s the space one cannot concede. Powerful and to the point.
This week @HMSPWLS is in Oslo to host Atlantic Future Forum 2026.
Opening the Forum this morning, I set out why the UK-Norway relationship is so important for our collective security.
🇬🇧🤝🇳🇴
Alessio Patalano retweeted
This week @HMSPWLS is in Oslo to host Atlantic Future Forum 2026.
Opening the Forum this morning, I set out why the UK-Norway relationship is so important for our collective security.
🇬🇧🤝🇳🇴
Alessio Patalano retweeted
A privilege to support the International Sea Power Conference in Norway, alongside Allies and partners, onboard @HMSPWLS.
The sea is our lifeline – our security, prosperity and survival depend on it. Protecting it is not a choice; it is a collective responsibility. @JEFnations
The #RoyalNavy and its @JEFnations allies have signed a historic Northern Navies Initiative agreement in Oslo today that will increase security across northern Europe, the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea.
Read more: royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/n…
Alessio Patalano retweeted
In Oslo, military chiefs, diplomats and leaders have gathered to talk about the threats facing Europe. Mainly Russia.
Yesterday the First Sea Lord, Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, warned Russia is “looking for weakness” in Britain’s defence and will look to test the UK’s “resolve”.
He said that the risk of conflict with Moscow was “rising”, but cautioned that war was not “inevitable” if Britain strengthened its defences.
In a speech on board HMS Prince of Wales the head of the Royal Navy told the 2026 International Sea Power Conference: “Prepare for war if you want peace. That saying is 1,600 years old and it remains true today.
“That means continuing to build our strength, adapting faster, standing together and demonstrating that, if required, we are ready to fight. We have set out our vision to rebuild the Royal Navy, now is the time for action.”
Now today, it’s the @FutureAtlantic forum with lots more interesting conversations about defence/ how to deter Russia and many thoughts on hybrid warfare. I spotted a lot of floating saunas on my walk to the Carrier this morning, so there could also be some cold plunges on the horizon.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11…
Alessio Patalano retweeted
The perils of attempting a live broadcast on a warship just before a Royal Marines band is about to start playing - it is worth watching to the end…
Once more. The political difference between conflict and war, and active, disruptive, coercive measures and warfare are not a trifling matter. We simply do not have a political behaviour that gauges the latter forms of endeavour. ‘Hybrid warfare’ is nonsense:
.@marksedwill, former Cabinet Sec and UK NSA, said:
"We are engaged in conflict already with Russia" – in daily hybrid warfare.
Hybrid includes "cyber attacks, bomb threats, drones, assassinations and dirty money in our politics."
(didn't mention any parties 🤷♂️)
D. It risks creating a ‘crying wolf’ effect socially: instead of raising awareness it makes people more impervious to the need of preparing for a real situation of danger.
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Alessio Patalano retweeted
オーストラリア国防省は西オーストラリアの海軍造船所の建設スケジュールが遅れた場合に備え、日本で4番目の新型FFM（もがみ型能力向上型）を建造する緊急オプションを交渉した、と豪防衛専門誌 Australian & NZ Defenderが報道。報道が事実であるならば、豪州向けの初めの3隻は日本で建造される予定だが、4隻目も日本で造らざるを得ない事態に備えた動き。
The Australian Department of Defence has negotiated a contingency option to build a fourth 06FFM Upgraded Mogami in Japan if the Western Australia naval shipyard construction schedule slips. Details, program, systems, weaponry, pix australiandefender.com.au
Interesting framing. I don’t think the problem is ambition. More like physics. And engineering. And at heart the idea that the work navies do the majority of time in shaping international affairs is replaceable or overrated. Ambition with hybrid navy is actually good.
First Sea Lord @GenGJenkinsRM has rejected criticism that the hybrid navy is too ambitious. Click image for more.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/firs…
Alessio Patalano retweeted
🔔 Abu Dhabi, day one: Russia brings an FSB officer whom Ukrainian officials link to car bombings and an attempt on Budanov.
Lavrov rejects a ceasefire because Europe is "buying time." Hundreds of drones hit Ukraine the same day.
🎥Full analysis is on my YT channel
Alessio Patalano retweeted
What a brilliant day today.. Many thanks to the team @HMSPWLS for hosting us and our discussions today.. I will always be in awe of men and women who work tirelessly to protect us all..
Alessio Patalano retweeted
EXCLUSIVE:
Andy Burnham won’t accept dynamic alignment of financial services regulations with the EU, backing the City of London’s independence from Brussels but nonetheless showing the limits of his ambitions for a much closer relationship
The Burnham administration does not want dynamic alignment of financial services regulations, UK government officials told Bloomberg
British officials have indicated to EU counterparts that this remains a red line they are unwilling to cross, according to people familiar with the matter
The development will be welcomed by some in the City of London who have lobbied Labour not to pursue dynamic alignment for financial services, but it demonstrates the complications of Burnham’s Brexit push
If the PM wants to take Britain back into the EU in future, as he has implied is possible, or if he wants the UK to join the single market, he would very likely have to sign up to its rules governing financial services
Put simply, rejecting alignment of financial services regulations makes it very difficult to rejoin the EU or the single market
While British banks took a hit after Brexit, divergence over the last decade means much of the sector now opposes alignment with the EU
TheCityUK, which represents the financial services industry, said in July that automatic dynamic alignment “is not appropriate for the UK’s financial and related professional services industry”
And UK Finance said in June: “We do not support wholesale UK alignment or dynamic alignment with the EU in financial services,” arguing Britain’s post-Brexit divergence meant it can now respond more swiftly to risks and market developments, and that its rules should be “tailored to domestic conditions”
Story with @AlbertoNardelli: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Alessio Patalano retweeted
⚓️The head of the @RoyalNavy says he is not telling us all that war is coming but he says the world is more unstable than he has seen it at anytime in his 36 year career and “our job is to be ready”.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins is speaking at the opening of an “international sea power conference” off the coast of Norway hosted by the UK on its flagship aircraft carrier @HMSPWLS
The First Sea Lords says: “We are no predictors of war. I am not telling you that war is coming but I am telling you that instability is here and our job is to be ready.”
Alessio Patalano retweeted
Fascinating piece which reveals that Zelensky's former right hand man contributed to his downfall with the Trump team by misunderstanding his chats with Susie Wiles. Interesting additional dimension to a sad story
U.S. President Donald Trump's former Chief of Staff Susie Wiles had a "troubling" back-channel with Andriy Yermak, the controversial former head of the President’s Office Head, the Kyiv Independent can exclusively reveal.
kyivindependent.com/exclusiv…
