“Although the UK’s continuing commitment to Europe’s security and defence is predominant in the document, broader ambitions for the UK in Europe and especially its longer-term ambitions for relations with the EU are notably thin.”
Professor Richard G Whitman has authored a piece on the results of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, announced by the Prime Minister this week, in the influential independent policy institute and think tank Chatham House.
The Integrated Review is a comprehensive articulation of the UK’s national security and international policy, last updated in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review -obviously the world has changed considerably since then, but also the UK’s place within in, not least due our removal from the European Union.
Whitman asks if the UK’s ambitious plans for its future international relevance will produce partnerships which can deliver.
Much anticipated by the UK’s allies and diplomatic partners, its publication does give a clearer sense of the UK’s ambitions and priorities.
“The Integrated Review comes against the backdrop of the highest profile for the UK’s diplomacy in decades. The country has begun its presidency of the UN Security Council in February, and is to host both the G7 and UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this year. Each of these provides opportunities for the Johnson government to push forward its security, economic and climate change priorities.”
Read the full article here.