Just a few years ago, Keir Starmer was seen as the sober modernizer who was supposed to lead the British Labour Party back to the political center after the ideological conflicts of the Corbyn era. His election victory in the parliamentary elections was interpreted by many observers as the beginning of a new stability. But in the meantime, the enthusiasm has disappeared. Poor results in local council elections, declining approval ratings, and growing opposition within his own party have forced Starmer into a defensive position.
Particularly burdensome is the fact that criticism no longer only comes from the party’s traditional left wing. Pragmatic Labour parliamentarians are increasingly expressing doubts about Starmer’s strategic direction as well. Many accuse him of having disciplined the party organizationally, but not providing it with a convincing political project. In a phase of economic uncertainty, high living costs, and weak growth, many critics believe Labour lacks a clear economic-political vision.
Starmer responded to the attacks with an attempt to demonstratively strengthen his authority. Reforms in the advisory circle, stricter control of internal party debates, and public loyalty requirements were meant to signal unity. In reality, this often achieves the opposite. Several prominent staff members have left the prime minister’s environment in recent months, while internal party conflicts are increasingly being played out in public. The image of a divided government significantly damages credibility.
Added to this are political scandals and communication problems that further undermine trust. Opponents accuse Starmer of a technocratic leadership style without political passion. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that it is precisely his businesslike style that can provide stability to the United Kingdom after years of populist unrest. But in the political reality of London, administrative competence alone does not count. Decisive is also the ability to hold a party together emotionally and to credibly embody societal expectations.
Within Labour, nervousness is therefore growing. Some members of parliament already fear that the party could lose even more support in the upcoming elections if the government fails to present economic successes. Behind the scenes, there is increasing speculation about possible successors. An immediate fall of Starmer still seems unlikely, but the dynamics are reminiscent of earlier power struggles within British parties, where simmering discontent suddenly turned into open revolts.
The coming months will therefore be decisive. If Starmer fails to stabilize the economic situation and give his government a clearer profile, a leadership crisis can quickly turn into an existential issue for his political future. For Labour, much more is at stake than just the person of the prime minister. It is about the fundamental question of which political identity the party wants to embody in post-conservative Great Britain of the 21st century.
The war in Ukraine is entering a new phase
Around the Moscow Victory Parade on May 9, there was a nervousness in the Kremlin that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Russian authorities have significantly increased security measures, fearing that Ukrainian drones could even reach Red Square. President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with demonstrative irony and publicly declared that he “permits” the parade and will not carry out an attack. Moscow sharply replied that no Ukrainian permission is needed.
The episode symbolizes a remarkable shift in the balance of power in the war. Russia appears increasingly defensive – militarily, politically, and psychologically. At the same time, Ukraine is acting more confidently than at any point since the beginning of the invasion.
War fatigue is spreading in Russia. The conflict has now lasted longer than the Soviet struggle against Nazi Germany in World War II. But unlike then, there is no longer a sense of a historical mission or a triumphant victory. Russian territorial gains at the front remain limited and come at a huge cost. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are believed to have fallen since the start of the war. Moreover, Ukrainian drones and cruise missiles are increasingly hitting targets deep in Russian rear areas – including military installations, refineries, and infrastructure.
This creates a double pressure for Vladimir Putin: he must not only keep the war under control on the front line, but increasingly also manage the mood at home. Although his approval remains high, enthusiasm for the war is visibly declining.
On the Ukrainian side, however, the tone has changed. Zelenskiy seems less dependent on the West than two years ago. Ukraine has significantly expanded its own weapons industry and has gained a strategic advantage especially in the field of drone technology. Ukrainian systems are now internationally regarded as state-of-the-art and battle-tested.
This also changes the diplomatic dynamics. While Kyiv used to act almost exclusively as a recipient of Western aid, the country is increasingly being seen as a military and technological partner. Countries in the Middle East are showing interest in Ukrainian air defense and drone expertise. Even the US is making use of Ukrainian know-how in certain areas.
The decisive factor is especially the role of drones. The war in Ukraine shows how asymmetric technologies can challenge traditional military superiority. Small, relatively inexpensive systems enable a smaller state to impose sustainably high costs on a military great power.
However, it would be premature to speak of a strategic turning point. Russia still has enormous personnel and material reserves. With summer, offensives at the front could intensify again. Furthermore, it remains unclear how American policy will develop – especially in the event of a new change of power in Washington.
However, the war has already delivered a fundamental lesson: for great powers, the military subjugation of smaller states has become riskier than ever before. Drones, digital warfare, and flexible defense strategies are profoundly changing the rules of modern conflicts.
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