The Retreat from Strategy

Description

Britain is sleepwalking to disaster, because London has abandoned all forms of proper strategy. That is the sobering message of this powerful analysis exposing the great failings of British security and defence policy.

Britain long ago abandoned the art and science of grand strategy, even though this is crucial for establishing the country’s direction of travel. Without grand strategy, national strategy has been reduced to little more than a political game of how much threat Britain can afford, and who gets what from an ever-shrinking resource pot. However, it is Britain’s defence policy where the contradictions and self-delusion of abandoned strategy are most apparent, and which explains why the balance between ends, ways and means—as sound strategy would demand—has become not just elusive, but nigh on impossible.

This essential, incisive book offers Britain a pathway back to strategic realism, by ending the profound confusion of interests with values that has done so much damage to Britain and its vital place in the world of the twenty-first century.

Reviews

‘The authors offer a biting critique of the disconnect between London’s ambitions and its practical power on the global stage. …A timely contribution.’ — Diplomatic Courier

‘Persuasive […] Richards and Lindley-French are to be congratulated on laying out the problem so clearly.’  — The Critic

‘A ruthless demolition of the illusions that cover up years of underinvestment in Britain’s defence. Disturbing, compulsory reading for anyone who cares about European security in the twenty-first century.’ — Jeremy Bowen, International Editor, BBC News

‘An extremely informed and thought-provoking critical examination of Britain’s current strategic posture, and a clarion call to action. Offering a roadmap for the UK’s immediate and long-term strategic direction, it is full of wisdom, insight and clear thinking. A must-read for all Britain’s leaders—political, diplomatic and military.’ — James Holland, author of The Savage Storm and Normandy ’44

‘In liberal democracies, long-term decision-making requires popular support. Our history and geography gave us responsibilities as well as powers. A nuclear power and a key player in NATO, Britain has for too long confused values and interests, and failed to align them.’ — Gisela Stuart, Member of the House of Lords and Chair, Wilton Park

‘An exceedingly compelling, forthright and alarming assessment of the growing disconnect between the ambitions of Global Britain and the limits of its reduced military capacity at a time of mounting security threats to the UK and to its interests in Europe and around the world. A hugely important book by two highly respected practitioners and thinkers.’ — General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; former director of the CIA; and co-author of the New York Times best-selling book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine

‘A full-throated warning about what happens if Great Britain fails to develop the necessary strategy and strengthen the essential alliances required for long-term security and prosperity. But what makes this book special and important are its achievable recommendations for designing such a strategy.’ — Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe

‘A passionate call from two prestigious authors for the UK to regain its traditional role of strategic and military leadership in Europe and the trans-Atlantic theatre, in the face of an impending Russian threat to our democracies and values. A must-read for all.’ — Giampaolo Di Paola, former Italian minister for defence and former chairman of the NATO Military Committee

‘There are many who can see strategic decay and describe it in exquisite detail, but precious few who can provide the kinds of insights and prescriptions essential for the UK to ready itself for the kind of war we’ll actually face. Thankfully, there are few authors better qualified to educate us on the realistic strategy demanded by our current circumstances and thrust upon us by today’s evolving technologies. The Retreat from Strategy should be required reading at the war colleges of the NATO nations, and more broadly of the community of democracies.’ — General (Ret.) John R. Allen, United States Marine Corps

Author(s)

David Richards (General The Lord David Richards of Herstmonceux) commanded British troops in East Timor, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, then served as Chief of the Defence Staff and a National Security Council member.

Julian Lindley-French is Chairman of The Alphen Group; Eisenhower Professor of Defence Strategy at the Netherlands Defence Academy; and the author of Future War and the Defence of Europe.