Security in an Uncertain World: Great Britain’s New National Security Strategy

Great Britain faces a complex array of national security threats from a myriad of sources. Recently, Prime Minister David Cameron’s coalition government set out its assessment of the threats Britain faces and how it intends to meet them. The newly-released national security strategy highlights clear priorities for counter-terrorism, cyber security, international military crises and natural disasters such as floods and pandemics.

On October 28, the Center on the United States and Europe (CUSE) and the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, the United Kingdom’s security minister, for a discussion of the British government’s new national security strategy. In her remarks, she reviewed the UK’s ability to meet and address critical threats, the strategic context within which these threats arise, and how they may evolve in future.

Senior Fellow Peter Singer, director of the 21st Century Defense Initiative, introduced Baroness Neville-Jones and moderated the discussion. CUSE Nonresident Senior Fellow Jonathan Laurence also provided remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.