The UK and Europe Must Sharpen Their Approach to National Security

Strategic Insights -

The UK and Europe are faced with the harsh reality of a world where power, not persuasion, is the driving force behind international relations. Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine has highlighted the need for a new approach to national security. As John Foreman, a retired Royal Navy officer and former UK defence attache in Moscow and Kyiv, points out, Putin's vision for the future is one where might makes right.

Key Takeaways:

  • Putin's aggression in Ukraine is a clear example of his pursuit of power and disregard for treaties.
  • The UK and Europe are having to adapt their approach to national security in response to the changing global landscape.
  • The US, under Donald Trump's leadership, has been willing to use hard power to achieve its policy goals, including against traditional allies.
  • Trump has been equivocal towards US commitments to NATO and has been hostile towards Ukraine, cutting off direct financial and military support.
  • The UK has promised to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security, but this may not be enough to counter the growing threat from Russia and China.
  • The EU and UK must seek their own hard economic and security outcomes, rather than relying on the US to lead the way in international security.
  • Putin's approach to power is not new, and other leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, are also pursuing a similar strategy.
  • The UK and Europe must be prepared to take a stronger stance on defence and security, including increasing investment in hard power and lethality of the Armed Forces.
  • The recent postponement of Trump's proposed meeting with Putin and the US decision to place new sanctions on Russia's oil industry may provide temporary relief, but will not solve the underlying issues.

Statistics:

  • 80 years: the length of time that the US has led a rules-based international order.
  • 5%: the percentage of GDP that the UK has promised to spend on defence and security.
  • 12 points: the number of points in a Ukraine peace proposal that could potentially persuade Trump to change course.
  • 1: the number of times that Trump has been equivocal towards US commitments to NATO.

Sources:

  • John Foreman, "The UK and Europe Must Sharpen Their Approach to National Security" (article does not specify publication date)
  • John Bew, "Much as we may wish it to be the case, we are not in a rule-of-law era today. Instead, raw power is being asserted everywhere we look." (article does not specify publication date)
  • UK National Security Strategy (2022)
  • Centre for European Policy Analysis, "Jumping to the crack of the ringmaster's whip is not a sustainable model for transatlantic security." (article does not specify publication date)