The government’s National Security Strategy correctly identified global risks but bureaucratic infighting and a weak economic position threaten the UK’s ability to ‘punch above its weight’ on the international stage

Abstract

Upon assuming power in May, the United Kingdom’s historic coalition government set in motion three exercises that together aimed to reshape British foreign policy. The new National Security Strategy, the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review all seek to lay down the bounds of Britain’s future role in the world. A new report by Nicholas Kitchen and former diplomats examine asses the goals of Britain’s foreign policy and how they can be realised in an age of austerity