William Freer
Research Fellow (National Security), Council on Geostrategy
Explore shifting dynamics in the UK–US special relationship, from shared geopolitical goals to emerging divergences and the strategies needed to strengthen defence, industry and multi-theatre cooperation.
The ‘special relationship’ is as close as it is not because of any cultural or linguistic ties (though these do play their part) between Britain and America, but because both countries have shared near identical interests for several decades.
These were the prevention of the rise of any expansionist power on the Eurasian land mass, which could wield the super-continent’s resources and threaten the democratic, maritime, industrial and trading powers. While they did not always see eye to eye (the Suez Crisis marked a particular low point), the relationship remained solid because geopolitical interests remained the same.
Shifts in transatlantic priorities
The Council on Geostrategy’s Strategic Advantage Cell published a report delving into the UK–US bilateral relationship to see what has changed, what may change and what Britain should do about it.
Recent events have shown that there remain a number of continued convergent interests, such as agreement on the pitfalls of globalisation (implicit rather than explicit), the need to step up to geopolitical competition and the need to rebuild defence industrial bases, which were allowed to atrophy.
However, for the first time in decades, a number of divergences have appeared. These include over theatre priority between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, differing perceptions of threats, with the US viewing Russia as less of a danger and the UK viewing China as less of a danger and differing views on multilateralism.
To reinforce the alliance for the
coming decades, both London and
Washington should work together.
A joint vision for security
To reinforce the alliance for the coming decades, both London and Washington should work together to create a new vision for the international order, which will require close strategic dialogue (as was done to create the post-war and post-Cold War orders).
Clear plans should be established to manage multi-theatre priorities, especially in the event of a multi-theatre crisis. The two countries should also look to deepen their defence industrial relations, leveraging each other’s expertise and capacity.
