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Flawed decision
Sir John Jenkins is a former British ambassador to Syria, which was among a handful of Arab nations where he represented his country.
Few more pivotal moments occurred in his career than the Labour Party's vote to oppose Britain taking part in retaliatory action against Bashar Al Assad's use of chemical weapons in 2013.
The man who is now Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, was at the head of that decision, setting off a series of tipping points. President Barack Obama called off US strikes after the vote and the Assad regime banked a considerable win.
Fury remains because Mr Miliband was seen as having played his hand in a "devious" and "irresponsible" way, with a long-term impact on how Britain was perceived in the Middle East.
Mr Miliband had led Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron to believe that the Labour party would vote in favour of the strikes – only to change his tune at the last minute.
"It was a massive problem for Cameron. It looked as if Miliband would come through, that he would support [military action]," Mr Jenkins said.
"He was devious, looking for political advantage. It was irresponsible. He made Cameron look weak."
The UK government was not required to put decisions around military action to a vote, but Mr Cameron did so due to concerns about foreign intervention stemming from the Iraq invasion.
Foreign policy observers have argued that the UK vote created a power vacuum in the region, limiting western influence while altering the direction of the Syrian civil war.
"It was another example of the UK trying to dictate the security outcomes in the region without the capability to enforce them," Mr Jenkins said.
Still, the self-limiting instincts Mr Miliband has displayed for the UK throughout his career may set the tone for his new role.
In its statement after new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's call with US President Donald Trump on Monday, Downing St did not mention if Mr Miliband's name came up.
"The President then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK's commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country," No 10 said.
Mr Miliband acknowledged the big challenge in his new job. Before heading overnight to the Philippines for a summit gathering, he said Britain will work to help end the conflict in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, playing its part in regional diplomacy and maritime security.
From his old job as energy secretary, he knows the strait is a vital corridor for global supplies.
Farnborough questions
As the biennial Farnborough Airshow takes place, the focus on how the UK can afford a military build-up continues to puzzle many.
Not least bemused would be John Healey, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, who appears to have won the job for valour in resigning as defence secretary to challenge former prime minister Keir Starmer's military plans.
The question is, should the UK try to carve out from its overall debt troubles special funding in the form of defence bonds?
I listened in to Capital Economics' call on the new government, where there was caution over the idea that defence investment would boost growth all that much. That's partly because the level of imports in defence spending is high.
"I think that boost is only likely if a significant share of it goes to R&D," said Ruth Gregory, Capital's deputy chief UK economist. "I think in the UK, the potential for any technological spillover might also be hampered by UK defence procurement going to a small number of large defence contractors."
The Fursan Al Emarat team from the UAE performed aerobatics shows at Farnborough as part of three waves of displays by international teams.
Established in 2008 and bringing pilots from the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, Fursan Al Emarat made its public debut in 2011. The team is known for routines performed by seven aircraft, symbolising the UAE’s seven emirates, and for smoke trails inspired by the colours of the UAE flag. Its black and gold aircraft livery symbolises the country’s heritage of desert and oil.
Seven pilots flew seven L15 Hongdu fighter jets in tight formation for the first time in the UK, spreading the colours of the UAE flag over Britain's skies.
Crunch time
International Criminal Court members face warnings not to override an independent report into misconduct against chief prosecutor Karim Khan, in a crunch vote on Friday.
The accusations of sexual misconduct have caused concerns over the future of the court as divisions deepen.
Mr Khan's defenders have sought to portray the vote as procedurally flawed and heavily politicised by the Trump administration. Washington imposed sanctions against the British KC after his decision in November 2024 to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
The 125 ICC member countries will vote on Friday, with an absolute majority required to remove Mr Khan.
Cricket's gateway
London's Kia Oval hosted the start of The Hundred competition on Tuesday and the Indian flavour of the scene lay mainly in the owners' box.
The IPL's Mumbai Indians are partners in MI London. Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds have Indian backers. London Spirit (playing at Lord’s) are linked to Royal Challengers Bengaluru through key shareholder Satyan Gajwani and coaching staff. Indian owners also control Southern Brave at Hampshire’s Utilita Bowl in Southampton.
This is not cricket as England knows it, writes our columnist, Chris Blackhurst. The US-style "franchise" is a gateway to India. What is really happening is that the super-rich kings of the IPL are marching into the English game.
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