The UK will deploy Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for joint defense; Trump’s special envoy meets Putin to discuss a ceasefire.

That’s not quite accurate. Were it not for Iran and the Houthis having effectively blocked two globally critical maritime routes, their ballistic missiles and drones—no matter how numerous—would hold negligible influence on the world stage. Moreover, despite their bluster, both are struggling domestically. One must take a long-term, broad-view perspective. 【Sponsored ad by Xiao Kao】How to stay warm and stylish through winter—without thermal underwear? Check out these Yunrong outdoor trousers! Featuring a merino wool composite insulation layer, windproof, waterproof, and stain-resistant, with a tailored 3D cut that slims without bulk—and yes, I’ve tried them: they’re genuinely warm! Retail price is ¥1,000 at department stores; now available for just ¥99 as a seasonal clearance deal—limited stock, price rises as temperatures drop! Click the blue text to view and order. II. International News: 【2.1】During last weekend’s large-scale protests and ensuing riots in France, a municipal building over 140 years old was set ablaze. On the 20th, French police arrested a male suspect linked to far-left movements, who had previously been flagged by authorities as a potential security threat under surveillance. 【2.2】Today’s news item isn’t directly about war—but I believe it merits serious discussion: According to the UK’s Guardian newspaper, the Burnham government has approved Shell’s Jackdaw gas field project in the North Sea, with production expected to begin later this month. The Jackdaw gas field is a long-standing project—fully constructed and ready to go, awaiting only final regulatory approval. It had originally been greenlit by the Conservative government in 2022, but Greenpeace filed a lawsuit, and in 2025 the Scottish courts ruled the original permit invalid, citing failure to account for downstream carbon emissions from natural gas combustion in the environmental impact assessment—halting the project ever since. The UK government faces immense pressure—from both sides. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, energy prices surged, while the economy stagnated; citizens grumble loudly amid declining living standards. Across the English Channel, the French have reignited their ‘Yellow Vest’ movement, with widespread looting and vandalism. If you were the UK’s leader, how would you choose between safeguarding the entire planet’s future—and addressing your nation’s urgent energy and inflation crises? One thing is certain: whichever path is chosen, it will be an agonizing decision. So, I largely support the Burnham government’s decision to allow production at the already-built Jackdaw field—not to approve an entirely new project. Domestic natural gas extraction generates lower carbon emissions than importing LNG (liquefaction and long-haul shipping incur additional emissions), thereby enhancing UK energy security and reducing import dependence. The field’s output will account for 6% of total North Sea gas production—enough to heat approximately 1.4 million UK households—and will be accompanied by a £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund, channeling North Sea oil and gas tax revenues into green transition initiatives. The Burnham government has done its utmost to strike a balance among environmental protection, energy security, and inflation control. This case also illustrates just how difficult policymaking is—not only for the UK, but for European governments broadly. I know some readers may feel Europeans are overly ‘woke’—morally self-righteous, obsessed with environmentalism and labor rights, excessively welcoming toward immigrants, etc. But let me pose a question: Is it not wiser—and more responsible—for Europeans to consider humanity’s long-term stability and future generations’ well-being, even if it means restraining today’s appetites? Doesn’t such prudence surpass the reckless exploitation and pollution-first-then-cleanup model?

The UK has approved the Rosebank oil and gas field development against strong opposition; what are the underlying reasons behind this decision?

Specifics: The UK’s Oil and Gas Authority has approved Oslo-listed energy company Equinor ASA (EQNR.OL) to develop the Rosebank oil and gas field in the UK North Sea. Equinor holds majority ownership of the Rosebank field, which ranks among the largest undeveloped oil and gas fields on the UK continental shelf, with recoverable oil reserves potentially exceeding 300 million barrels. According to a statement issued Wednesday by Equinor ASA and its partner Ithaca Energy Plc, following approval by the North Sea Transition Authority, Equinor and Ithaca have jointly made a final investment decision to proceed with Rosebank’s development, committing $3.8 billion. Following the announcement, Ithaca’s share price rose 7.2%, while Equinor’s rose 0.9%. Per Equinor’s website, the field lies approximately 130 km northwest of the Shetland Islands, with total estimated recoverable resources of around 300 million barrels of crude oil. Crude oil will be transported via shuttle tankers to refineries, while natural gas will flow through pipelines to mainland Scotland. Energy Context: Can this move ease market tensions amid OPEC+ tightening crude supply? Recent developments—including falling oil and gas prices this year and mounting external pressures—appear to be intensifying pressure on the UK government. In particular, the UK energy sector faces growing pressure from the US Inflation Reduction Act, which pledges $368 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for renewable energy industries. As reported by OilPrice.com on March 15, 2023, the London-based Financial City Morning Report recently learned that the UK government is considering setting a floor price for the windfall tax—fearing that Norwegian energy giant Equinor might withdraw from the proposed Rosebank oil and gas project. This includes sectors vital to the North Sea—such as carbon capture, hydrogen, and offshore wind. Failure to proceed with the Rosebank project would deliver a severe blow to the UK’s oil and gas industry and undermine the government’s goal of boosting domestic energy output. Currently, over half of the UK’s oil and gas consumption is imported internationally, with Norway serving as the UK’s largest natural gas export partner.

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