BATTLESPACE BOOK CLUB
19 Mar 08. National Security Strategy: Publication. The Prime Minister presented (19 Mar 08) the Government’s National Security Strategy to the House of Commons. In a Statement, the Prime Minister said that the Security Service was to double to 4,000 personnel.
Comment: This novel document was supposed to have appeared in Autumn 2007 and the delay in publication has only resulted in an extraordinary mishmash of “threats”; from terrorism to nuclear war via global warming, mass migration, influenza and flooding. A “national-level risk register” is due to be published in Summer 2008. ‘The National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom’ was published, as Command 7291, for £13:90. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0813, 31 Mar 08)
20 Mar 08. NATO: Defence Committee Report. The Defence Committee published (20 Mar 08) a Report on The Future of NATO and European Defence, covering: NATO’s role; Afghanistan; Capabilities; Enlargement and The European Security & Defence Policy.
Comment: The Report has been produced as a prelude to the NATO Summit in Bucharest (2 to 4 Apr 08), which is taking place “at a time when the Alliance’s reputation and credibility are being questioned in relation to Afghanistan”. Despite a gloss being put on some recent history, the Report is a useful updating of NATO’s concerns. The Report was published as HC111, for £24:50. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0813, 31 Mar 08)