Since Britain departed from the EU, there have been significant transformations in the coordination of British defence and diplomacy. The outcome of the referendum, in which approximately 52% of voters favoured leaving the EU, was a shock to the UK, Europe, and the global community. Britain’s new strategic document emphasises the importance of maintaining a minimum, credible, and independent nuclear deterrent to safeguard the nation’s security in vital global security scenarios. This article focuses on the topic of British defence and diplomacy coordination in the period following Brexit.
Changing political conditions in international relations
Considering the nature of British relations with other countries, it is worth noting how much they are affected by Brexit. Brexit strongly affected British defence and diplomacy coordination. This withdrawal has questioned the many efforts made regarding convergence in the EU. The changing conditions of the world, the rise of China and the actions of Russia will challenge the adoption of a single position by European countries towards international equations. On the other side of the Atlantic, the emergence of the Trump phenomenon in America in 2016 changed the shape of the “special relationship” and the relations between the United States and the EU more than ever before. The British government has mentioned climate change and biodiversity conservation as the country’s next ten-year priorities.
Taking the strategy of Global Britain after Brexit
With the finalisation of Brexit, the idea of “Global Britain” emphasises the British role more than ever. In this idea, the role of Britain without the EU is highlighted, and it gives that country the possibility of actively acting. The new strategy document of the government with the vision of Global Britain predicts that the country will lean towards the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, although British political officials refer to Russia as “the most immediate threat to their security”, they speak in a softer tone against China. However, even though human rights challenges are evident in China these days, the conservatives, by adopting a balanced approach towards Beijing, are looking for positive business and investment relations with this country.
Orientation to the East in the new strategy of Global Britain
The new strategy document of the UK government with the vision of Global Britain predicts that the country will lean towards the Indo-Pacific region and then West Asia. According to this document, Britain wants to become an important player in this region due to the shift of the world’s geopolitical and economic centre of gravity towards the East and countries like China, India and Japan. Britain’s strategy and policies are no longer in the mould of other European countries and even NATO. Britain is now an ally of America and an active global political actor.
A review of British defence and military policies
The decision to send the aircraft carrier of the British Navy to the Middle East is being evaluated in line with the revision of the country’s defence policies. Also, in the revision of British defence policies, the grounds for increasing the number of British nuclear warheads to 260 have been provided. Political observers refer to this decision as a fundamental change in the ten-year policy of reducing nuclear warheads to less than 180 warheads. British Chancellor Dominic Raab also told the BBC that it was the “ultimate insurance policy” against the worst threat from belligerent countries when asked why Britain was building up its nuclear capabilities.
Separation of British foreign policy strategy from the EU
British military and security strategy is completely separated from other European countries. Britain’s military-security policy in the form of a document and in the shadow of the support and support of the United States, which was developed after Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020, is completely in line with active military and diplomatic presence and participation in Asia. Britain’s military aid to Ukraine in the last two years without any concealment. Along with the training of Ukrainian special forces in Britain, it sent the message to the whole world that Britain is trying to redesign its foreign policy based on the alliance with the United States.
The increase of British influence in the Middle East with the start of the Gaza war
After the Gaza war, Britain’s influence in the Middle East has increased. The start of the Gaza war in October 2023 was a good excuse for London’s politicians to increase their scalability and influence in the Middle East, both diplomatically and militarily. The active presence of warships and intelligence monitoring, along with diplomatic activities, has been a great opportunity to increase the British regional influence in the Middle East after the war in the Gaza Strip. It seems that the active participation of the UK and the United States in the bombing of Yemen should be considered an important point in the Global Britain policy of the UK government and in line with increasing the weight of military, security and diplomatic influence in the Middle East.
The comparative advantages of the Global Britain strategy for the UK
Global Britain has numerous advantages that enhance its influence on the global stage. It boasts memberships in esteemed international organisations such as NATO, G7, G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations, which all contribute to its elevated stature. Notably, with a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, Britain holds significant sway in shaping global affairs. Moreover, its military strength is commendable, as it possesses the second-largest defence budget in NATO, second only to the United States.
Britain’s soft power is a dynamic force on the global stage
Apart from its military might, Britain’s soft power is also a force to be reckoned with. The nation’s extensive foreign aid initiatives and its highly skilled scientists, who have made remarkable strides in developing a COVID-19 vaccine and understanding effective treatment methods, attest to its exceptional capabilities.
With its newfound independence from the European Union, Britain could become a more agile and dynamic power. Free from the constraints of agreements with the 27 member states of the EU, the country can act swiftly and decisively. For instance, it can readily impose sanctions on authoritarian governments like Belarus or expeditiously approve the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Global Britain’s advantages, ranging from its esteemed affiliations and significant military expenditure to its admirable soft power and newfound freedom from the European Union, position the country to be a more influential and dynamic force on the global stage.
Britain’s active engagement in international affairs with the Global Britain Strategy
In recent decades, British thinking has been closely associated with a mixture of patriotism and a lingering sense of regret over the loss of its empire and superpower status. Joining the group of European countries was seen as a way to address these concerns. The concept of a Global Britain is a promising one, but it necessitates making difficult decisions and re-engaging with Europe. Now that Britain has fully exited the European Union, the country needs to reconsider its priorities. Implementing the Global Britain strategy means focusing on both defence and diplomacy coordination. Britain’s active involvement in conflicts like Ukraine, Gaza, and Yemen demonstrates its commitment to this strategy in its foreign policy.
