THE BRITISH RECENTLY UNVEILED AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT MAKING BRITAIN'S GLOBAL AMBITIONS CLEAR. HERE IS A CONCISE EXPLAINER.
As the Brexit chaos dies down, Britain is set to charter its own independent path. It seems a bit like the country has come full circle. After its rampaging naval campaigns across the globe lead to the creation of an imperial powerhouse, British diplomats will again sail for a political expedition round the globe, re-engineering ties with behemoth nations & minnows countries alike after a costly & prolonged divorce with the EU. The Johnson government released a detailed policy review regarding their global ambitions & plans for a more multi-polar world. Let's have a look at it, shall we?
(ps:I have divided the article into several sections the policy review touches upon).
DEFENSE: GUNNING FOR MORE
The Defense Policy had a recurring theme: Upgrade & Expand.
The British have ambitions of reclaiming naval supremacy in Europe. For this, they will be adding a new higher class of frigates to the navy along with an additional aircraft carrier.
It seems like the current administration is warming up to the idea of technology in warfare. One and a half billion pounds will be invested in establishing military-grade AI centres & pumping in more resources for the R&D of existing military technology. The Royal Air Force will also welcome drone technology (something which turned the tide in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in Nagorno Karabakh). A Space Command will also be set up soon which will oversee the launch of satellites & rockets for defence purposes.
However, the most important element in the Defense section dabbled with nukes. The British have decided to increase their nuclear warheads from 180 to 260 (the first increase since the Cold War). For a better perspective, compare the nuclear warheads of the nations below:
OVERESTIMATING THE PRESTIGE: FOREIGN POLICY
A "constructive and productive relationship" is to be maintained with the European Union. This implies that the UK still hopes for economic engagement & diplomatic support from the EU.
The United States must remain the UK's most important bilateral relationship and strategic ally. It has been decades since the centre of global power shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The UK has been realistic enough to understand that. In my opinion, without American cooperation, the British foreign power might collapse and the economy will also face heavy repercussions.
"Russia remains the most acute threat to UK security, whilst North Korea and Iran represent growing threats". This statement highlights the UK's aversion to authoritarian & theocratic regimes. The fact that the government blatantly singled out these nations prove that Iran can start an arms race in the Middle East, Russia can team up with China & turn the tables on Western powers and North Korea can kickstart a nuclear disaster in the Korean peninsula any day.
A positive trade and investment relationship is envisaged maintained with China whilst addressing the "systemic challenge" it represents to UK security. China already is the biggest export destination for British goods (see chart below). This has been a veiled attempt to appease Washington as well as not ruffle feathers in Beijing. As of now, the UK will have to play out a balancing act so as to avoid any major disruption for its economic goals.
The UK plans to be active in Africa, the Middle East and the Persian Gulf (something which is beyond its current capacity) for trade & green innovation.
The UK plans to be a leading European member in NATO who is committed to the collective security of the Euro-Atlantic region. This will particularly make the Pentagon happy as they will now have a more active ally in Europe.
By 2030, the UK must be "deeply engaged" in the Indo-Pacific region with a larger, more persistent presence than any other European country. As I have proclaimed before on this blog, the Indo-Pacific is the new geopolitical hotspot which will continue to attract international attention.
The UK wants to strengthen its foreign policy cooperation with the Five Eyes member states (a select group of 5 countries whose intelligence agencies collaborate frequently to curb mutual threats).
SOME POPULIST SNIPPETS
The Integrated Review was a major talking point of the Johnson election campaign. hence, these public appeasing moves were expected.
First is an ambition of becoming a "technology superpower" for which the government plans to focus on funding AI, doubling R&D expenditure, attracting the best global talent through a "Talent Visa" & bolstering innovative partnerships with other countries as well as with domestic private players.
Last but not the least is the battle against climate change. The government plans to release a specific action plan for the same in the near future.
PARTING COMMENTS
I think the policies pursued by the government are a step in the right direction. But the men in Downing Street seem to have overestimated the current geostrategic capabilities of their own country (this is not the 1920s lads :) The increase in defence capabilities was the need of the hour but the expansion in nuclear warheads came as a bit of a shock. Although it will not sparl of a nuclear race, it will definitely keep the UK's adversaries on their toes. Last but not the least is the focus on emerging technologies. The Brits bossed the first Industrial Revolution but since then, they have lost their way a bit. A comeback now can reassert their status as a great power. Anyways, that is all for the day. Sign in below with your e-mail for regular updates.
I bid you farewell till the next one.
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