Conference of Defence Associations’ media round-up. UK:
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—BRITISH DEFENCE AND SECURITY ISSUES—The Economist comments on Britain’s strategic defence and security review (SDSR), and provides an overview of the proposed cuts.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2010/10/defence_reviewThe Telegraph comments on Britain’s SDSR and suggests that the cuts could have been more intense. The paper argues that the deficit legacy left by the Labour government will require many cuts and significant austerity to repair Britain’s economy.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8074472/Defence-Review-our-…The Washington Post’s Anthony Faiola reports on the American implications of Britain’s SDSR. Cut backs are not expected to affect the war in Afghanistan, but they will impact the UK’s regional military and maritime strength.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR20101019048…The Weekly Standard reports that the recent British defence cuts and austerity measures could have been worse. It is noted that the primary priority of the British government is to reduce its deficit, rather than exercise national defence.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/cutting-defence-tory-style_511478.htmlIn Foreign Policy, Nigel Sheinwald argues that, despite the significant defence cuts Britain is facing, it will still be the US’s “most effective and dependable military ally.” Britain will continue to contribute to the NATO target spending of two percent GDP [emphasis added, Canada spends only some 1.3% and that ain't going up--see here and here], and will modernize a number of capabilities.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/10/21/a_leaner_meaner_british_mili…The full report on the British strategic defence and security review (SDSR) can be found here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/docum…
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See this post for the SDSR and the F-35 (Oct. 26: The Dutch F-35 order may well start shrinking too).
Update: News:
U.S. operations in Kandahar push out Taliban
NATO Likely To Send More Trainers To Afghanistan [but not Canada according to the prime minister, see below]
John Ivison: Harper should rethink ending Afghan mission
Earlier:
Afstan: News the prime minister won’t like to see
How has the Canadian government’s Afghan policy come to this? “All hat, no helmet. And no skillet neither.”
Mark
Ottawa
