Commentary

The coming year is going to be one dominated by all the crises that made headlines in 2015.

‘I have personally reached out to nearly 40 allies and partners around the world asking them to step up their contributions. Together, ISIL is an evil that we must and will deliver a lasting defeat.’

‘Britain is not shying away, we’re projecting our power. … [We’re] defying Russian aggression in the Baltic and confronting ISIL in Iraq.’

‘NATO needs a coherent and robust long-term strategy to deal with the new security environment. A key element of that strategy must be maritime power and presence.’

We are facing the biggest security challenges in a generation

‘With its comprehensive military capacity in the South China Sea, China is not afraid of a military showdown in this area.’

2015 was a fruitful year for Japanese security policy; the coming year will be an absolutely critical one for the region.

Russia entered 2015 burdened by a confrontation with Ukraine and the Western countries, which had thrown their weight behind Kiev. Western hostility took the form of painful economic sanctions against Moscow.

‘This is a war over our core values and our way of life. This is a war of cultures.’

‘The idea of remaining indifferent, of not trying at all costs to save the lives of these people … is inconceivable for a country like Italy.’