#KeepingUpTheFight

This is a newsroom ThinkIn. In-person and digital-only tickets are available.The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put defence spending back in the spotlight. April marks the 40 year anniversary of the Falklands War. The naval task force that set off on 5 April was a formidable one, and it marks the last significant conflict where British forces engaged an enemy alone. After 10 weeks of fighting, which was widely covered in the media, Argentine forces were repelled and the Union flag flew again over Port Stanley. Victory in the conflict allowed Britain to publicly show the world it was still a military power when it mattered. But four decades later, how have the British armed forces changed, for better and worse? Join us for a special ThinkIn where we explore military funding and the roles, responsibilities and capabilities of the UK as a military power. editor and invited experts Giles WhittellSensemaker Editor General Sir Christopher DeverellRetired British Army Officer; served as Commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command Monty HallsBroadcaster and Author of ‘Commando: The Inside Story of Britain’s Royal Marines’ Tony HoareFormer SAS Trooper and Security Consultant. Author of ‘Born for war: one SAS Trooper’s Incredible Story of the Falklands’

This is a digital-only ThinkIn.The widely circulating images of Russian tanks and armoured cars rolling into Ukraine are powerful and deeply alarming. But at the same time, they are not exactly the futuristic images of modern warfare that one might have imagined from 2022. Instead, many of the photos are of Russian vehicles stuck in the mud or with burst tyres. This makes it seem as if Russia’s military isn’t quite as well-funded, and highly technical as many have imagined. Reports have instead suggested that Ukrainian forces have destroyed numerous Russian armoured vehicles using cheap drones from Turkey. Why is this the case? Is the invasion of Ukraine hampered by poor maintenance, obsolete hardware or general lack of preparation? As Nato strengthens the presence of troops, planes and defensive weapons across bases in member countries, are Nato forces better prepared? editor and invited experts Giles WhittellSensemaker Editor Bettina RenzProfessor of International Security, University of Nottingham Sam Cranny-EvansResearch analyst, Military Sciences, RUSI

This is a digital-only ThinkIn.MDMA was originally developed by German scientists more than a century ago. In the 1970s some psychiatrists used the chemical to enhance communication with patients. The practice fell from favour when MDMA became better known as a party drug and the principal ingredient in ecstasy pills. ‘E’s kickstarted the ‘Second Summer of Love’ of 1989 in the UK and MDMA – also known as ‘molly’ –  became intertwined with club culture. Today, psychiatrists are successfully experimenting with therapeutic MDMA as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with promising trials among US veterans. Last year, General Sir Nick Carter, the outgoing UK Chief of Defence Staff, gave his support to clinical trials of MDMA to treat British soldiers with PTSD. Early signs indicate it could be more effective than talking therapies, and offer thousands of veterans relief from serious mental trauma. What kinds of PTSD does it work for, and are there any other banned substances which could be used in treating mental health conditions?  Join us for this ThinkIn with General Sir Nick Carter and other experts and campaigners where we’ll explore how a Class-A recreational drug could become the latest psychiatric treatment.  editor and invited experts James HardingCo-founder and Editor General Sir Nick CarterFormer Chief of Defence Staff Gilly NortonCEO, Support for Wounded Veterans Rick DoblinFounder and Executive Director, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)