There’s been a lot of talk about the demise of the Royal Navy. This piece from the American Spectator gives a pretty good sense of just how bad things have become–the Royal Navy is now smaller than it’s French counterpart for the first time in centuries. Now Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, first sea lord and chief of naval staff, has taken his case to the press, making a public plea for increased funding. “Give me two carriers and just less than a billion and I will be off your back, a happy boy,” said Band.