Tony Blair discusses the new environment and explains how and why he sees it changing Britain's military needs: "Our Nation's Future - Defence." Wish we had that sort of thoughtful communication over here - from any of our so-called "leaders."

• Transcript from that afternoon's press briefing. Loved the part where the spokesperson encouraged the reporter to read the actual speech and think, rather than just spewing his personal bias. Story of our times.

• Transcript from TV debate on West Country Live for ITV. The panel included Former Chief of the General Staff General Sir Michael Rose, former soldier Justin Smith, and serving Royal Marine Brigadier Andy Salmon.

• All UK-related military contracts and projects that Defense Industry Daily has covered.

Folks may agree with Tony, or disagree. This much is clear: In a time of war, his level of ability to address the public head-on, and call on key facts amidst the unpredictable parry-and-thrust of discussion as opposed to a mere tightly-scripted debate, is what we need to demand in and of our leaders. This is going to be a tall order for Americans in particular, who are unprepared for these demands at a structural educational and cultural level. Even so, in a world at war where the information battlefield matters and the media is increasingly globalized, this isn't an option any more.