Olympics

Recently….on the Olympics, strike-breaking and the armed forces

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.” 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?

---

Olympic Medals for the Military

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

---

Judge rejects bid to stop Olympic rooftop missiles

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.

---

Open letter to the London Olympic Organising Committee expressing concern at involvement of Armed Forces in the Games.

---

Missiles ‘could be fired to protect Olympics from terrorist attack’

Missiles could be fired in London to protect the Olympic Games from terrorist attack, Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, announced yesterday.

---

Army to increase security at London 2012 Olympics

Up to 6,000 troops could be drafted in as security guards at the 2012 Olympics in London, as officials reassess the manpower needed to cover next year's Games, it has emerged.

---

Surface-to-air missiles for Olympics

Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect the skies over London during the Olympics, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today as he insisted "all necessary measures" will be taken to ensure security.

---