Global Role of Post-Brexit Britain: the Integrated Review

Many commentators have questioned how Britain will position itself globally after leaving the European Union. Now that the deal has been done and Britain has officially left, how the nation views itself will be key to understanding what role it will seek to play and what resources it can marshal to fulfill that role.

Its recent defence review is a key document for highlighting Britain’s strategic interests for the next decade. Titled Global Britain in a Competitive Age, the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy already harks to a key point for Brexiteers – creating a ‘Global Britain’. Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphasised the theme of the review in his foreword, arguing that Britain will prioritise “agility and speed of action,” in responding to international issues and further emphasised “enhancing (Britain’s) prosperity and security”.

Indo-Pacific Tilt

Three key features stand out from the review. A major one is entitled “The Indo-Pacific tilt: a framework,” which identifies the Indo-Pacific region as a key area for strategic and economic development. Historically a domain more dominated by the US, India and China, and other regional powers such as Australia, Japan and the Philippines, the ‘tilt’ recognises that this geographical region will become vitally important over the next century. As many observers argue, the demographic advantage that Asia holds over the West may soon be joined by a financial and military advantage.

For Britain, developing strong alliances and infrastructures in the region will be key to establishing favorable post-Brexit trade agreements and economic opportunities. Furthermore, by seeking to be “the European partner with the broadest and most integrated presence in the Indo-Pacific,” Britain will try and position itself as separate from Europe, solidifying a role for itself in the region, post-Brexit — one that, while working with partners such as France and Germany, will be uniquely British directed and controlled. A major concern will be Britain’s ability to respond to crises in the European and Middle Eastern theatres. Within the review, there are a number of changes to Britain’s defence structure, including a reduction in the number of soldiers, tanks, fighter jets and tanks – leading to the potential for overstretching.