Syria. May’s calculation and the dangers of a May miscalculation – to others and to her

She will be feeling a hand of history on her shoulder, and wondering if the other holds a knife at her back.

James Gray: Syria – and why May should act without a Commons vote

Parliament’s job should be to hold the Prime Minister and Executive to account for what they have to do, rather than becoming a party to it.

Henry Newman: The unified reaction to the Skripal affair suggests talk of Britain’s ‘isolation’ was premature

To listen to some commentators a few weeks ago, you’d have thought it was only EU membership – not shared interests and values – that brings allies together.

Eighteen countries express solidarity with the UK by expelling Russian ‘diplomats’

The “extraordinary international response by our allies” amounts to “the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever”, Johnson says.

James Frayne: National security isn’t a priority for most voters. But here’s why it could matter at the next election.

It can be a proxy for “leadership” – and it offers the chance to further differentiate the party culturally from Labour.

Iain Dale: Corbyn’s weakness on security should cost Labour the next election. Will it, though?

A tour de force from May. Utter failure from Labour’s leader. And: how Blair’s Iraq legacy gives credence to deranged conspiracy theories.

“The Kremlin is ripping up the international rule book.” Williamson’s defence speech: full text

“Soft power only works because hard power stands behind it…That’s why this is our moment to retain our competitive advantage and invest in hard power capabilities.”

WATCH: Williamson – “Russia should go away, it should shut up”

“It was absolutely outrageous, what it did in Salisbury,” he says during his first major speech on defence policy.

Poor Russia

On corruption, fragility, innovation, human capital, creditworthiness, GDP per head – all the measures that count for most – the country is, to put it politely, not in a great place.

James Frayne: The polling shows that British voters harbour a deep suspicion of Putin and the Russian state

Foreign policy is rarely at the centre of our politics, but the electorate are now likely to judge potential leaders in part on their stance towards the Kremlin.

Mark Francois: States like Russia now pose the primary threat to the UK – we must strengthen our defences accordingly

The erroneous assumption that hostile states were no longer relevant has rightly been abandoned. Now our Armed Forces need the resources to meet the challenge.

Peter Marshall: We must all now focus on finding a way to build a positive future relationship

We need to rekindle l’esprit communautaire, on both sides of the channel. In Walpole’s famous phrase, “this dance can no longer go”.

Suella Fernandes: Brexit. I am more excited than ever about what the future holds.

As a relatively new Minister at DexEU, I intend to make the positive case for the rich array of opportunities that are to be had as an independent trading nation.

Williamson’s verdict at Westminster, not attempted murder in Salisbury, is our best guide to responding to Putin

Last month, he told the Defence Select Committee that Russia has ousted terrorism from the top of the national threat list – which has big spending implications.

WATCH: Mercer says he has “failed thus far” in his objective to “reestablish” the military covenant

The Conservative MP and former soldier says he’s determined to learn from the “painful lessons” of the past.