Mobilising for Freedom: A Wartime Mindset Needed

Amid the National Liberal Club’s historic grandeur, Noel Hadjimichael warns: “We are only two and a half years from conflict in Europe. The stakes couldn’t be higher.”

This week at London’s National Liberal Club, the Defence and Security Circle hosted a critical discussion on Europe’s volatile security landscape, led by its founder, Noel Hadjimichael. A figure whose life embodies resilience and service, Hadjimichael is on a mission to foster informed dialogue addressing global threats. Keynote speaker Peter Apps warned, “This year, the world truly woke up to the possibility of a conflict unseen since 1945,” while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for a “wartime mindset” against Russia’s looming threats.

Hadjimichael’s Defence and Security Circle has grown into a vital platform uniting military experts, civil leaders, and global thinkers to confront authoritarian aggression. When I met him later in the week, his passion for ensuring defence and security remain at the forefront of public discourse was unmistakable, reflecting his vision of resilience and collective action in a dangerous world.

The Unlikely Convener of a Strategic Dialogue

On fostering meaningful dialogue, Noel Hadjimichael shared, "We’ve grown a network of more than 700 people globally—listening, questioning, and learning together." Noel spoke to Gunpowder Chronicles at London’s Whitehall National Liberal Club on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)