John Glen MP: Recruiting under-18s to the Armed Forces isn’t good for them or taxpayers

There are alternatives that would offer a better route to a forces career and better value for money.

We should aim to cool, not heat, the quarrel with Russia

If Ukraine is to stay intact, viable and solvent, no one part of it can impose its will on others.

Rehman Chishti MP: Our Syria decision has left Britain diminished

The consequences of last summer’s vote are lost exports, a weakened reputation – and opportunities for France at our expense.

Tom Tugendhat: How different Afghanistan might have been if we had ventured beyond our security fences

The simple act of sitting together and sharing a meal could have prevented so many misunderstandings

Lord Ashcroft: We must fulfil our obligations to veterans when they leave the Armed Forces

Veterans aren’t victims – they should be told that the world is their oyster, not that they may become a charity case.

John Baron MP: As Karzai holds talks with the Taliban, we must learn the lessons from Afghanistan

When designing future foreign policy, we should be clear in constructing narrow and achievable goals.

Garvan Walshe: With Ukraine on the brink, Hammond must cancel the defence deal with Russia

Putin needs to understand that the Ukraininan elite he is supposed to protect will face travel bans and other sanctions if they don’t listen to their people.

Garvan Walshe: Death of an idealist in Kabul

Alexandros Petersen was killed in Friday’s attack on the Taverne du Liban restaurant.

Heresy of the week: Britain is the second most important country in the world

Europe’s not so hot these days, so self-denigrating Britons must look further afield for defeatist inspiration.

LISTEN: Former US Defence Secretary says British defence cuts mean we cannot be a full partner to America

Robert Gates expresses his concern about the impact on our international capabilities.

WATCH: Merry Christmas from (and to) our troops in Afghanistan

For many soldiers, this is an ordinary working day.

Lord Ashcroft: When the Chief of the Defence Staff gives a blunt warning about our Armed Forces, we should all listen carefully

General Houghton is not prone to idle threats, and we should all listen carefully to what he has to say.

Martin Callanan MEP: At last, MEPs vote to ditch the Strasbourg circus

But they’ll still have to meet there. Plus: Cameron gets his way on the EU budget. Remembering Arnhem. And: welcome, Syed Kamall.

John Baron is developing quite the amendment machine – and a reputation to go with it

The Government were certainly concerned about the possible rebellion, but it’s now waning.

Garvan Walshe: The Sri Lanka mess shows why we’re on course to lose the next election

It has highlighted the failure of the Conservative leadership’s Sweetshop Theory of Politics.