Of course we are and need to be a global player......but these decisions and choices are now ensuring we will not be...that is the point. There is a good case now for complete retrenchment.....others do it why not us? If there are undeniable arguments against this approach (which I have always believed there are) ,then plenty within both the elected government and the civil service don't seem to recognise it. It has now become well established over several decades that many of our own nation see no merit in us having global capability...many now fight against it...look at the stories that emerged from the FO post the Falklands conflict. These days it is probably more the case....many have lost any grand strategic perspective, and like many within general UK society now act selfishly to preserve their own interests and ambitions ....understanding national level duty and commitment in today's dynamic world is a lost ethos for many...not least our slimey politicians. How sad.