Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
7
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Acknowledged
It remains to be seen whether the foreign policy aspect of the Review will produce a distinct Foreign Policy Strategy or whether this will be combined with a National Security Strategy. Whether the Review produces one, two, or three documents, we have heard that it must first clearly identify the …
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It remains to be seen whether the foreign policy aspect of the Review will produce a distinct Foreign Policy Strategy or whether this will be combined with a National Security Strategy. Whether the Review produces one, two, or three documents, we have heard that it must first clearly identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy. It is only by developing a detailed conceptual framework for the UK’s security and foreign policy that the Review will be able to identify and question current assumptions and provide an evidence-base to make decisions about the UK’s future defence policy and posture. We therefore recommend that the Review explains how the Government views risk, includes clear and detailed definitions of how the Government understands key terms such as “security” and “resilience” and provides answers to the following questions: a. What is the UK’s understanding of the concepts of national, international and human security and the relationships between them? In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated Review 56 b. What does domestic resilience mean and how is it related to the UK’s foreign and defence policy? c. What security and defence priorities emerge from an analysis of the UK’s domestic priorities? In what ways are they complementary and in what ways do they conflict? d. How does the UK view the international system and its place within it?
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Integrated Review is addressing all the issues raised regarding explaining risk, defining key terms, and answering the specific questions posed, without providing further detail.
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Ministry of Defence
8
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Acknowledged
We have heard that in order to identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy, the Review must clearly articulate the UK’s interests and values. Whilst scrutiny of the UK’s foreign policy falls to the Foreign Affairs Committee, from a defence perspective we believe that …
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We have heard that in order to identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy, the Review must clearly articulate the UK’s interests and values. Whilst scrutiny of the UK’s foreign policy falls to the Foreign Affairs Committee, from a defence perspective we believe that the Review should answer the following questions: a. How does the UK define its national interest abroad? b. What role do values play in the UK’s foreign policy? c. How will the UK pursue its objectives through hard and soft power instruments?
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Government response AI summary
The Government states that all the points regarding the UK's national interest, values, and pursuit of objectives through hard and soft power will be addressed by the Review, which will consider the ends, ways, and means of UK policy.
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Ministry of Defence
9
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Acknowledged
Particularly at a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, it is vital that the foreign policy aspect of the review reflects the UK’s understanding of, and ambitions for, its international relationships and partnerships. Our colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee are conducting an inquiry into the foreign policy aspects of the …
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Particularly at a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, it is vital that the foreign policy aspect of the review reflects the UK’s understanding of, and ambitions for, its international relationships and partnerships. Our colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee are conducting an inquiry into the foreign policy aspects of the Review, but, from a defence perspective, the politics and power involved in international relationships are an essential reference point for understanding the threats and risks to the UK’s national and international priorities and the defence capabilities which are required to defend and protect them. The Review should therefore include a clear and detailed analysis of the UK’s approach to: a. Bilateral relationships (notably, with the U.S. and key EU member states) b. Multinational security and defence alliances (notably, NATO and the Five Eyes) c. Relationship with the European Union and the U.N, Commonwealth, G20/G7 and other regional groupings.
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Government response AI summary
The Government states that the Integrated Review will define the UK's role and strategic aims in the world, acknowledging that its network of bilateral relationships and alliances will be an important theme. However, it does not explicitly commit to a clear and detailed analysis of …
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Ministry of Defence
16
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Acknowledged
Capability decisions made as part of the Review should be informed by the Review’s foreign policy analysis, threat and risk assessment and defence operating concepts. Defence planning assumptions and the UK’s overall defence posture should be reviewed, and informed by the following questions: a. What platforms, weapons and personnel, readiness …
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Capability decisions made as part of the Review should be informed by the Review’s foreign policy analysis, threat and risk assessment and defence operating concepts. Defence planning assumptions and the UK’s overall defence posture should be reviewed, and informed by the following questions: a. What platforms, weapons and personnel, readiness and maintenance are required to ensure the resilience, availability and adaptability of the UK’s Armed Forces? b. What “critical mass” is required for our Armed Forces to respond to the threats and risks to the UK? c. What investment and innovation are required to respond to and exploit technological developments? d. Which existing capabilities can be enhanced or retired?
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Integrated Review is an opportunity for Defence to rebalance and modernize forces by investing in new capabilities and divesting from less useful ones. MOD planning teams are currently assessing future operating environments and proposing capabilities to counter emerging threats.
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Ministry of Defence