In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson revealed that his country would open two new military bases overseas after exiting the European Union. The UK will set up one in the Caribbean and another in Southeast Asia. Williamson also told the British people to stop underestimating their country’s global influence, adding that the post-Brexit UK will stand high on the international stage. “We have got to be so much more optimistic about our future as we exit the European Union,” Williamson said.
The British Defense minister said that the Brexit represents a historic moment for his country and a major turning point since the end of WWII. Williamson said it was about time to “recast” the UK’s role worldwide [and] play the role on the world stage that the world “expects us to play.”
Yet, perhaps the most important point in Williamson’s statements is the shift from the 1968 East of Suez strategy, following which the UK withdrew from bases in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region. “This policy is over and Britain is a world power again.”
The two new bases may be in Singapore or Brunei in the South China Sea, on the island of Montserrat or Guyana in the Caribbean and will open within two years, the newspaper quoted a British source as saying.
Williamson’s declaration signals the coming of a new player in the struggle of international hegemony and influence. It is striking, though, how Britain wants to resume its historical role while isolationism in US foreign policy is growing, as the Trump administration is reducing the US military presence worldwide.
The new British policy also raises important questions about rising powers such as China and the new British role in Southeast Asia. As it seeks to curb the US influence in its neighborhood, it would be hard to predict China’s reaction to this new British role.
A new law is reportedly being drafted that would provide greater protection and immunity for British soldiers from prosecution abroad, which may provide evidence of the UK’s intention to send its military forces to potential conflict zones.
The idea of a new “global UK” implies that the Brexit will not only be about the economy.
Strategic roles will be redefined, including the military roles of some European countries. French President Emmanuel Macron called for a joint European force to defend the security of the continent. He had previously said that “the EU now is very weak, very slow and ineffective” and that it takes courage to move on after the Brexit, with plans including appointing a minister of finance for the Eurozone, a joint budget and establishing a rapid European intervention force.
It may be premature to predict the outcomes of such changes in Europe, especially amid the varying opinions on Macron’s proposals. Also, Macron might focus on internal affairs in the next stage following the crisis of Yellow Jackets.
The UK and the EU’s roles will definitely change after the Brexit so the countries of the GCC should study the new roles and think ahead about their potential implications.
