{quote] 1. a confrontation with President Putin’s Russia;
2. a widespread humanitarian crisis in sub-Saharan Africa;
3. a piracy incident;
4. crises in the Middle East;
5. a conflict between India and Pakistan;
6. a confrontation with China;
7. the Falklands;
8. and a more global scenario set in 2025, with European
forces yet further reduced and an ambivalent America.[/quote]
I grant that #1 may be valid but to what extent should the British armed forces be built to maintain a credible deterrent with our European allies?
#2 where does defence diplomacy fit with a humanitarian crisis?
#3 only limited resources have been applied to this long standing issue which seems to have responded to increased military activity. What more is required?
#4 yes a certainty, but what level of force could we afford to bring to the party? After over 20 years involvement in the ME do we have an appetite for another 20?
#5 Two nuclear powers facing up to each other. What could we bring to the party?
#6 China; issue yet, British military? You must be joking. The old SEATO boundary at 105 East probably still holds.
#7 yes.
#8 So we rearm to replace America?
I haven't read beyond the executive summary but I think my point - politicians egos and money remain the issues.