Highlights
– Prime Minister Gordon Brown announces new British national security strategy
– Plan declares climate change, pandemic disease, unstable energy supplies, failed states, and terrorism as key threats to British national security
– Reorganization of country’s response to threats centers on increased coordination between military, police, intelligence agencies, and diplomats
On March 19, 2008, British Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Brown announced plans to overhaul the nation’s national security strategy. The reforms come at long last, as they are the first significant changes to the country’s strategic initiatives since the conclusion of the Cold War.
Among the changes Brown outlined, plans for increased coordination between British military, police, intelligence agencies, and diplomats in a unified effort to combat increased security challenges take center stage. Further, the plan aims to curb threats outlined as climate change, pandemic diseases, unpredictable energy supplies, failed states, and terrorism, to protect British national interests both at home and abroad.
As Britain continues to face significant challenges due to terrorist ideologies, Brown strives to satisfy citizens and onlookers by placing specific emphasis on the rising threat of Islamist extremist terrorism and outlining marked improvements in funding and organizational practices for the country’s military, police, and intelligence agencies.
However, despite the new security strategy, we remain unconvinced the country will be immediately successful in its efforts to combat the jarring effects of increased Islamist extremism within its borders.
New Threats Demand New Approaches
On March 19, 2008, PM Brown declared his plan to revitalize Britain’s national security strategy. Citing a marked change in the nature of risks and threats the country faces, Brown declared, “new threats demand new changes.” Brown continued, outlining that today’s world presents threats that are far less predictable than in years past, specifically in the realm of terrorism, wherein two decades ago the threat stemmed from the paramilitary Irish Republican Army (IRA), and now derives from global networks affiliated to Islamist extremist ideological groups such as al-Qaeda.
Addressing the British Commons, Brown outlined the main objectives of his plan, stating, “So to address these great insecurities: war, terrorism and now climate change, disease and poverty—threats which redefine national security not just as the protection of the state but as the protection of all people—we need to mobilise all the resources available to us: the hard power of our military, police, security and intelligence services; the persuasive force and reach of diplomacy and cultural connections; the authority of strengthened global institutions which…can deploy both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power; and not least, because arms and authority will never be enough, the power of ideas, of shared values and hopes that can win over hearts and minds—and can forge new partnerships for progress and tolerance, involving government, the private and voluntary sectors, community and faith organizations, and individuals.”
A brief synopsis of Brown’s complete national security strategy is provided below:
• National ‘register of risks’
• Increased security services personnel
• Civilian task force for rapid deployment to ailing nations
• Efforts to reduce nuclear weapons across the globe
• Monetary bonuses for long-serving armed forces staff
• Regional counter-terrorism centers
• Increased efforts to protect the UK from cyber attacks
• Review of the role of reserve forces
Rising Threat of Terrorism Takes Center Stage
As we continue to report, in the aftermath of the July 2005 attacks and subsequent failed attacks in London and Glasgow on June 29 and June 30, 2007 respectively, British authorities continue to step-up anti-terrorism measures , (Previous Report). According to information released to the public, Britain currently faces 30 known terror plots, with intelligence officials monitoring 200 networks and upwards of 2,000 individuals. Further, in the past year, a purported 58 terrorist convictions have occurred, indicating Britain remains a strategic staging ground for Islamist extremism.
As Britain continues to face significant challenges due to rising Islamist extremism, Brown’s plan allots a 10 percent increase in funding to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, an organization that brings together 16 departments including the police and Britain’s MI5, MI6, and Scotland Yard. Additionally, Brown announced the number of security service employees would rise to 4,000, with an added 1,000 person civilian task force consisting of police, emergency services, and judges, to be sent to trouble-spots around the globe and charged with assisting failed nation states emerging from intrastate and/or interstate conflict.
Further, Brown emphasizes the need to extend counterterrorism efforts across the globe stating it is important to strengthen Europol and Eurojust, to ensure rapid, safe, and secure information is transmitted between coordinating countries seeking to thwart terrorism and organized crime.
Short-term Success Not Likely, Long-term Success Promising
Despite the new security strategy, we remain unconvinced the country will taste immediate success in its efforts to combat terrorism within its borders. Al-Qaeda and like-minded organizations continue to emphasize Europe, and specifically the UK, as a strategic locale for terrorist attacks. To this end, a January 2008 announcement posted on a prominent jihadist Internet discussion forum sparked worldwide attention when it proclaimed the formation of a group known as “al Qaeda in Britain.” The posting underscores Britain’s perceived view as an important battle ground for Islamist extremism and is symbolic of the rising threat of jihadist inspired violence in Britain and Europe as a whole (Previous Report).
As we previously reported, the relevant successes of recent proposed anti-terror measures to combat the growing threat of Islamist extremism remain to be seen (Previous Report). Further, as authorities continue to step-up counterterrorism efforts, it is likely these attempts will suffer marginal success.
