• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • COMTECH banner

BATTLESPACE Updates

   +44 (0)77689 54766
   

  • Home
  • Features
  • News Updates
  • Defence Engage
  • Company Directory
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Pack 2023

Disruptors and Demagogues — IISS Strategic Survey 2019 By Nick Watts

November 6, 2019 by Julian Nettlefold

 

 

 

 

International society is being atomised, according to the London based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS). Launching the annual Strategic Survey, IISS notes that ‘neither balance of power, nor international rules based governance serves as ordering principles’. It adds ‘International institutions have been marginalised’, reports Nick Watts.

IISS notes that the disruptors carry most of the advantage; those clinging to the status quo are losing their grip. ‘The US is pricing itself out of alliance politics – complaining that…allies pay to little. China is advancing its agenda via its ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, which is intended to ensure that states stand with it, or are usefully neutral. Meanwhile Russia continues to insert itself into situations where it can, to its advantage. The advance of technology has an impact on the pace of development of sensors and weapon systems, as well as the dissemination of information.


All of these elements serve to present policy makers and their advisers with complex choices. Small states are more likely to conform to the wishes of the predominant power in their region, to ensure tranquillity. Those states looking to advance through development funding will find their way to friends and allies that do not impose conditionality on the support they receive. Likewise with those seeking investment and modernization of their technological base.


IISS further notes that ‘a global rules based order may in time be re-established. That will only happen with the determined application of statecraft, rather than by the earnest convening of international summits. …. The questions are: whose rules will they be, and how many different orders will they govern?’


The dilemma for British policy makers, as they contemplate the opportunities of Global Britain, is how they play into this changing scene? The traditional affiliation to NATO, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, could become irrelevant if the US administration moves the needle more firmly towards an ‘America first’ policy. Disengagement from the EU will at the very least cement the Franco-German motor driving further integration in Europe. Both of these possibilities will need serious consideration by policy makers in London. In a world of disruptors and demagogues, smart power will be at a premium; so smart policies will be needed. The status quo is not on offer.

Nick Watts is Deputy Director General  of the U K Defence Forum and a freelance journalist.

Filed Under: News Update

Primary Sidebar

Advertisers

  • qioptiq.com
  • Exensor
  • TCI
  • Visit the Oxley website
  • Visit the Viasat website
  • Blighter
  • SPECTRA
  • Britbots logo
  • Faun Trackway
  • Systematic
  • CISION logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • businesswire logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • ssafa logo
  • AtkinsRealis logo
  • IEE
  • EXFOR logo
  • sibylline logo
  • Team Thunder logo
  • Commando Spirit - Blended Scoth Whisy
  • Comtech logo
  • GoExporting logo
  • ECHODYNE logo
  • Supercat logo
  • Galvion logo
  • Leonardo DRS logo
  • MTC logo
  • IDC logo
  • IDC logo
  • DVD2024 logo
Hilux Military Raceday Novemeber 2023 Chepstow

Contact Us

BATTLESPACE Publications
Old Charlock
Abthorpe Road
Silverstone
Towcester NN12 8TW

+44 (0)77689 54766

BATTLESPACE Technologies

An international defence electronics news service providing our readers with up to date developments in the defence electronics industry.

Recent News

  • Congress Avoids Government Shutdown

    October 1, 2023
    Read more
  • UK Forces Deployed to Kosovo

    October 1, 2023
    Read more
  • RAF Fighter Jets Deploy To Poland

    October 1, 2023
    Read more

Copyright BATTLESPACE Publications © 2002–2023.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the website, we'll assume you're ok with this.   Read More  Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT