Sir, James Blitz’s article (“Testing waters ahead”, May 21), which focuses on Britain’s military choices, also raises the question of rethinking of “Britain’s global role”. As a former American diplomat and now a think-tank national security analyst and four decades close observer of British foreign policy, I encourage any serious rethink of Britain’s global role but despair any conclusion that Britain should withdraw from its long tradition of global engagement and leadership.
In my estimation Britain does “punch above it weight” and has for a very long time, much in the interest of Britain itself but also common security and economic interests. Its wise counsel and diplomacy (mostly) have been crucial in helping to maintain global stability, protect human rights and helping often to prevent further disasters.
Further, the world is becoming a much more dangerous place for all of us - not less. It would be even more dangerous for itself and others should the UK withdraw from active participation in crisis prevention, peacekeeping/making, and helping to face down terrorism. The cost of engagement – military, diplomatic, economic – is far less than the consequences of withdrawal and indifference in the high-risk world we are facing.
There is reason why America turns first to Britain in good and bad times. We have shared common risks and prevailed together. Gordon Brown, despite the current opinion at home, has led on issues like global warming, global poverty, dealing with the global economic crisis and a host of other critical issues. He is a wise voice like that of Obama in a despairing world.
Few also know the depth of existing co-operation in many fields that has rebounded to the significant benefit of both nations and the entire alliance. The Brown-Obama summit was indicative of the kind of useful dialogue and the broad consensus that helped move the entire world forward on a key crisis of the day.
Yes, rethink Britain’s role and the best tools to engage but do so from the perspective that we are likely to need more rather than less from Britain to maintain a secure and prosperous world. I agree that, like the US, Britain needs an integrated strategic review – we are going to be doing one via a new strategic posture effort involving not only the defence department but also the state department and USAID. But both of us need to include in our studies broader elements of “risk” like climate change, poverty, food and pandemic diseases, etc. I suggest we both consult closely with each other in these assessments.
Finally, I doubt that Downing Street under Mr Brown (any more than America under Barack Obama) is thinking of any kind of a retreat from the world and its responsibility.
Harry C. Blaney III is a Senior Fellow in the Center for International Policy National Security Program. Mr. Blaney has forty years of experience in international affairs and has held senior positions in the federal government, policy research, and non-profit organizations. His experience includes the White House, State Department, foreign affairs think tanks, and U.S. diplomatic posts abroad.
Copyright 2009 The Public
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