British Defence Policy at a Crossroads: East of Suez Revisited?

Author(s): Aleksandra Dier
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Date of publication: Nov 2009
Issue number: 64
Pages: 3
Series: CSS Analysis in Security Policy

Description: This paper addresses plans of the British government to come up with a new Strategic Defence Review (SDR), commenting on the challenges involved. It highlights the pressure arising from the involvement in Afghanistan, assesses the implications of growing financial constraints and points to the British ambivalence regarding European integration in defense and security matters. The author argues that without a leadership role in the common European security and defence policy (ESDP), and in the EU more broadly, Britain's international position may well weaken.

General note: © 2009 Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich

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