Chapter 26

Chapter Summary

The 2020s was always set to be a very challenging decade for Britain’s foreign, security and defence policies. This is partly for structural reasons – the onset of intense globalisation has created a new context for all external relations in second-rank powers such as the major states of Europe – and also because a number of structural challenges, like the ‘climate emergency’ or the inequalities built into the global economy, cannot be ignored since they will quickly have a direct impact on countries like Britain. The challenges also arise for specifically British reasons, however, because Britain itself has changed so much in recent years. Whatever else it was, the 2021 Integrated Review was based around a detailed and thoughtful analysis of the unique challenges Britain faces. It is another question how well its conclusions were acted upon, but the intellectual grasp of the challenges was beyond question. That grasp extended to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, though the economic circumstances the country was then facing were less favourable than at any time since the global financial crisis of 2008. Britain’s policy-making structures remained generally effective, notwithstanding some years of chaos and upheaval. But the incoming Labour government was all too aware that it had to somehow create a more efficient mobilisation of all the country’s resources to address the transformational problems that Britain faced, after decades of essential continuity in the matter of external relations. There had not been a time since the first decade of the twentieth century when Britain’s foreign and defence policy was in such a state of internal and external transformation.

Learning Objectives

• To understand the contemporary context of policy-making for foreign and defence policy.
• To be able to assess the factors of continuity and change in the substance of British policy.
• To see how policy-making works, in outline, and understand the dynamism of the process.
• To be able to assess the extent, and some of the substance, of formulating strategically effective and coherent policies for British foreign and defence policies.
• To formulate a view of the most important foreign and defence challenges currently facing Britain.

Quizzes

Test your knowledge with the Chapter 26 quizzes!

Quiz

Question 1

What is a key factor that has shaped British foreign and defence policy in the 21st century?

A complete separation between foreign and domestic policies

The impact of globalisation and interdependence between states

The dominance of military alliances over economic partnerships

A return to colonial-era diplomatic strategies

A reduction in the importance of security threats

None

Question 2

How was Britain’s international role evolved from the mid-20th century to the present?

From a major pillar of the international system to a player within it

From complete isolationism to active global intervention

From military superpower to full reliance on the EU for security

From a country with no influence to one leading all major global institutions

From a primarily economic power to a fully militarised state

None

Question 3

What has been one of the biggest challenges in Britain’s defence policy since 2022?

The reintroduction of conscription for national security

The decision to withdraw from NATO

A shift away from military spending towards diplomatic solutions

The complete replacement of conventional forces with cyber defence

The ongoing war in Ukraine and its implications for European security

None

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the concept of Global Britain” after Brexit?”

Prioritisation of Commonwealth relations over other partners

A retreat from global engagement in favour of national self-sufficiency

An attempt to redefine Britain’s role as an independent, globally engaged power

A return to colonial-style foreign policy

A shift towards closer ties exclusively with the United States

None

Question 5

Which one of the following is a primary concern regarding the UK’s military capability in the 2020s

The abolition of the Royal Navy

A lack of commitment to NATO

The rejection of all international defence agreements

The sustainability and strategic credibility of the armed forces due to low personnel numbers

The closure of all UK military bases abroad

None

Question 6

How has Britain’s relationship with the United States evolved in recent years?

It has remained an unchanging special relationship””

It has weakened significantly

It has become more standard”

It has shifted to full military integration

It has been replaced by a closer partnership with China

None

Question 7

The UK’s intelligence services have which key function in the modern security landscape

Conducting all foreign policy negotiations independently

Overseeing military operations in place of the Ministry of Defence

Protecting the UK from cyber threats, terrorism, and espionage

Controlling British military personnel

Replacing conventional military forces in all operations

None

Question 8

The “Global Britain” strategy emerged after , aiming to redefine the UK’s international role

Question 9

Britain maintains its independent nuclear deterrent through a fleet of submarines

Question 10

The National Risk Assessment outlines security challenges including , cyber threats, and natural disasters.

Time’s up

Discussion Questions

1. Since Brexit, the UK has promoted the idea of “Global Britain“ as a way of defining its foreign and defence policies. To what extent is this strategy a realistic and effective approach, or does it risk overestimating Britain’s global influence?
2. The UK government has expanded cyber security and intelligence operations to counter threats such as terrorism and state-sponsored cyberattacks. However, some critics argue this could infringe on civil liberties. To what extent should security concerns override privacy rights, and where should the balance be drawn?

Weblinks

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – The UK government department responsible for foreign relations and international development. (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office)

Ministry of Defence – The UK government department overseeing military policy and national security. (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence)

Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) – A think tank researching international security and military policy. (https://rusi.org/)

Policy Exchange – A conservative think tank analysing UK foreign and defence policy. (https://policyexchange.org.uk/)

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) – A progressive think tank researching international relations and security. (https://www.ippr.org/)

Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs) – A globally respected think tank analysing international diplomacy, defence, and UK foreign policy. (https://www.chathamhouse.org/)

International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) – A research institute focusing on international security and defence issues. (https://www.iiss.org/)

British Foreign Policy Group – A think tank analysing UK foreign relations and diplomatic strategies. (https://bfpg.co.uk/)

European Union, Official Site – The main site of the EU, providing information on EU-UK relations. (https://europa.eu/european-union/index_en)

Defence Academy of the United Kingdom – A research and education institution training UK military and defence personnel. (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-academy)

Demos – A cross-party think tank researching governance and international relations. (https://demos.co.uk/)

Institute for Government – A research institute analyzing government decision-making, including foreign policy. (https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/)

Flashcards

Refresh your knowledge of key terms with this chapter’s flashcards.