A major report was published ahead of the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Strategy in Austerity: The Security and Defence of the United Kingdom, by Dr Paul Cornish places the government’s strategy review in its proper strategic context and offers a framework for assessing whether the government’s policy outlook and equipment choices reflect a truly strategic approach.
In a roundtable series on defence economics, held in conjunction with McKinsey, participants assessed the financial considerations involved in conducting a review and making defence spending more efficient. The third event in this series will ask whether the objectives and recommendations of the SDSR add up, in financial, strategic and operational terms.
In a debate series on defence policy, held in conjunction with Ernst and Young, participants looked at the current security and defence environment and the value which a risk based approach and risk management strategies could bring to defence and security policy.
As part of the project on Rethinking the UK’s International Ambitions and Choices, the International Security team have been engaged in analysis and commentary on the SDSR process and outcomes.
Economics of UK Security and Defence Policy
In conjunction with McKinsey & Company Inc., the International Security Department has convened a series of roundtable discussions on the economics of UK security and defence policy. Over the course of the roundtable events participants will examine the economic context to security and defence policy-making in the United Kingdom looking at the macro-economics of defence and security, the business of security and defence policy-making and the economics of acquisition and capability.
The Security and Defence of the UK Debate Series
In collaboration with Ernst & Young, the International Security Department at Chatham House has convened a series of high-level roundtable discussions on the security and defence of the United Kingdom. Over the course of three meetings, participants addressed three core questions: how will the international security environment evolve in the medium-term? What national security and defence posture will be most appropriate for this changing environment? How can this posture be realised within the current international and national political and fiscal climate?
