This is a Review that is as interested in not upsetting Washington as it is Beijing. Labelling China a ‘challenge’ rather than a ‘threat’ mirrors the language of the Biden administration.
Further measures included an additional “£20m uplift” to the BBC World Service over the next two years, “protecting all 42 World Service language services.”
It is an essential British interest that Putin’s efforts to split Germany, France and Italy from the front line states fails.
Events in Eastern Europe call the assumptions of the Government’s new defence posture into question. Can we defend our treaty allies?
Due to internal tensions, the Union can lack coherence and focus, often particularly evident in its efforts to implement a collective foreign policy.
Wallace has done well to win an exceptional defence settlement, but it may not be enough to fund all the Integrated Review’s ambitions.
The UK has taken some bold steps towards confronting the genocidal regime in Beijing. Our values must come before business concerns.
“Our international policy is a vital instrument for fulfilling this Government’s vision of uniting and levelling up across our country.”
And if that projection is to be effective, we will need to invest in our operating bases – and not just at traditional sites.
The Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy is upon us. But will the capabilities follow the challenges, or vice-versa?
The delay to the review, historic increases to defence spending and rumoured cuts to troop numbers paint a picture of an organisation in flux.
He says that defence spending will be increased “by £24.1 billion over the next four years”.
As the run up to the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review draws closer, here are some ideas for improvement.
Even if a large conventional military suited Britain’s needs, the public is not prepared to pay for one.