The new amnesty on Troubles prosecutions is not really about Northern Ireland at all

It arises from a campaign to protect ex-servicemen which has nothing to do with the particular circumstances of the Province.

Snap guide to this session’s Government legislation 4) The Armed Forces Bill

Our introduction to: what each Bill is, the politics of it, who’s responsible, arguments for and against – and a controversy rating out of ten.

WATCH: Mercer – “We have a duty to these guys as a nation – I’m going to see it through”

The former Veterans Minister discusses support for veterans, his frustrations with politics, Cummings, extremism in the Armed Forces and more.

Henry Hill: Dowden must resist the SNP’s Eurovision power-grab – and force the BBC to up its game

The UK competes as itself too rarely to allow the Corporation’s complacency to let Britain down. Time to bring some Olympic focus.

John Baron: When our troops depart Afghanistan, they leave the dream of liberal intervention behind

It was foolish to allow realistic and limited objectives to be overtaken by utopian nation-building.

Sorry, Matthew, but there’s a Centre Party already – Johnson’s Conservatives

The centre isn’t where he or ConservativeHome or anyone else wants it to be. It’s where it is – “Far From Notting Hill”.

Alex Deane: Britain must offer sanctuary to those who supported our soldiers in Afghanistan

They fought with us. They stood by us and believed our promises about a better future and a better way of life. It’s time for us to stand by them.

“We have abandoned our people.” Mercer is sacked – and accuses Johnson of letting down Northern Ireland veterans.

“I have fought and bled alongside them…and I have a duty to stand alongside them.”

Meanwhile, in the Ukraine…

Events in Eastern Europe call the assumptions of the Government’s new defence posture into question. Can we defend our treaty allies?

Jeremy Quin: The Government’s defence investment ensures a modern, persistent and effective approach to future threats

Spending amounts to an extra £24 billion over four years from today’s levels, helping to equip our Armed Forces.

Nicolas Clark: The Government’s defence plans are based on a stark choice – ‘go large’ or ‘go smart’

Even if a large conventional military suited Britain’s needs, the public is not prepared to pay for one.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Davies wonders whether the Prime Minister is a Conservative

Starmer attacked Johnson for promising not to cut the size of the Army, yet now doing exactly that.

Sarah Ingham: After the party, the hangover. This week, the Integrated Review. Next Monday, defence cuts?

The review was described as ‘the most comprehensive Review since the Cold War’. For those with memories of previous reviews, this probably caused hearts to sink a tad.

Garvan Walshe: The Integrated Review’s tilt to Asia could leave us vulnerable closer to home – and Putin

The impulse of Brexit is to prove Britain’s openness by striking out, but this tilt increases our security dependence on Europe.

James Sunderland: The Integrated Review. To project power in the world, we musn’t skimp on support arms and force protection

And if that projection is to be effective, we will need to invest in our operating bases – and not just at traditional sites.