Narrower Still and Narrower

Shall thy bounds be set:

Defence cuts are limiting Britain’s capacity to be “full partner” with America, a former US defence secretary has said.

Robert Gates, who served under George W Bush and Barack Obama, said the “fairly substantial reductions” in spending mean Britain can no longer stand alongside the US as a leading military player.

For decades British Armed Forces have had a so-called “special relationship” with their counterparts across the Atlantic - particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan recently - but Mr Gates’s comments indicate that partnership could be over.

But they make a fine cup of tea. 

Comments

[John Chittick]

Wait until PM Farage and the UKIP are in charge.

[Nicholas]

Sir Humphrey isn't persuaded:

"In terms of Mr Gates comments though, the accusation seems to be that the cuts put forward in recent years call into question this relationship. Frankly Humphrey would regard this accusation as plain wrong. It is easy to say that the UK cannot do X, Y or Z anymore - indeed, it currently has no carrier capability or MPA capability, but equally it continues to provide a lot of assets that do matter to work with the US. Indeed, while it is easy to say that the UK has no full spectrum capability, arguably it is many decades since the UK last had anything close to this, and there is no other nation in the world today which can meet US requirements in a similar way. Given the scale of cuts being considered by the US Military at present, it is probably not long till the US could easily be accused of the same claim.

[...]

"Be in no doubt that the UK remains a significant power, and when one hears phrases like 'full spectrum military' bandied around, the next logical question to ask is 'who else has one'. There is a genuine and extremely close relationship between the two nations, which in turn translates into an excellent relationship between the two militaries. There is no doubt that maintaining this relationship requires an investment of time, money and procurement of high capability equipment, coupled with a continued willingness to countenance the use of force in situations of electorally challenging proportions. But, this is easily resolved, providing a willingness to work together remains in place. There is no other nation vying to become the replacement for the UK in the affections of the US - indeed Humphrey would argue that the US has a variety of 'special relationships' as does the UK. Ultimately, for as long as the two nations share similar foreign and security policy outlooks, it is hard to see them not working together in an extremely close fashion indeed"

[markottawa]

Also:

"The British Military in Review and Looking Forward…and the Canadian Forces?"
http://cdfai3ds.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/mark-collins-the-british-military-in-review-and-looking-forward-and-the-canadian-forces/

"MPs on Defence Forces vs Budgets: The UK (and Canada?"
http://cdfai3ds.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/mark-collins-mps-on-defence-forces-vs-budgets-the-uk-and-canada/

"British Military Still Able to Punch Above Weight? (Canada?)" (see comment with Sir Humphrey)
http://cdfai3ds.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/mark-collins-british-military-still-able-to-punch-above-weight-canada/

Mark
Ottawa

[Scott]

"Ultimately, for as long as the two nations share similar foreign and security policy outlooks, it is hard to see them not working together in an extremely close fashion indeed"

Kind of difficult when the President of the USA removes the bust of Churchill to make a point.