Britain has deployed its armed forces for combat over 80 times in 47 countries since the end of the Second World War, in episodes ranging from brutal colonial wars and covert operations to efforts to prop up favoured governments or to deter civil unrest.

The Cost of War report below reviews the latest research to examine the causal pathways that have led to an estimated 3.6-3.8 million indirect deaths in post-9/11 war zones, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The total death toll in these war zones could be at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting, though the precise mortality figure remains unknown. Some people were killed in the fighting, but far more, especially children, have been killed by the reverberating effects of war, such as the spread of disease.

THE COST OF WAR REPORT

David Hearst on Why European Jews Need to Leave Israel

Genocide action filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice

Blinne Ni Ghralaigh puts forward a powful and compelling argument as to why Israel should be found guilty of genocide for their actions in the Gaza Strip.

On 29 December, South Africa filed a lawsuit before the ICJ, accusing Israel of committing crimes amounting to genocide in the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to a fierce war for more than three months. The filing inclided the decades-long occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza. Indonesia also filed against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted, “Nobody will stop us...we will continue the war in the Gaza Strip until we achieve all our objectives. The Hague and the axis of evil will not stop us."

Tayab Ali Talks to Mid East Eye About Bringing Gov MPs to Justice for War Crimes

Tayab Ali talks to Middle East Eye about holding the UK's political class to justice for their actions in Gaza.

A Solicitor and director of the International Centre of justice for Palestinians, Tayab has warned UK government officials they may be individually liable for crimes against humanity and war crimes by aiding and abetting Israel's murderous activities in Gaza.

According to the Campaign Against Arms Trade, between 2013 and October 2023 the UK Government has approved 1,223 Standard Individual Export Licenses for the sale of armed goods to the State of Israel amounting to the value of £496 million. This includes £184 million on technology; £125 million on aircraft, helicopters and drones; £39 million on target acquisition, weapon control and countermeasure systems; £25 million on grenades, bombs and missiles; £49 million on training equipment; £39 million on other electronic equipment; £11 million on directed energy weapons; £5.6 million on armoured vehicles and tanks; £4.7 million on small arms; £2.9 million on warships; £2.4 million on imaging equipment; £2.1 million on ammunition; and £1.2 million on armoured plate, body armour and helmets. Simon Elmer

GAZA (ONGOING)

UKRAINE (ONGOING)

Following the commencement of Russia's Special Military Operation/invasion in Ukraine, a peace deal was brokered. Boris Johnson and the UK/US/EU regime weren't after peace and persuaded Zelensky not to go ahead with the deal.

A year and a half later, Russia has now incorporated four regions into the Russian Federation, roughly 20% of Ukraine and 500,000 (some estimates are as high as 1.5M) Ukrainian soldiers are dead, including over 10,000 civilians. The cost of destruction is estimated to be $143BN and there are now 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees. The UK has committed £4.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine so far including

YEMEN (ONGOING)

Length of war in Yemen: 8 years.

Direct and indirect deaths: 377,000 (UN).

Since the War on Yemen began, the UK has provided £23 billion pounds worth of fighter jets, bombs and missiles to the Saudi-led coalition for use in Yemen.

Arms sales in these circumstances are prohibited by UK rules, which say they should not be allowed where there is a “clear risk” that a weapon “might” be used in a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.