UK Defence after Brexit: A Conversation with General Philip Breedlove

Posted April 27, 2018

External Article: CABLE

Scott Brown, postdoctoral fellow in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, had his interview with General Phil Breedlove, USAF (Ret.), distinguished professor in the Nunn School, published in CABLE, Scotland's international affairs online magazine. 

Their discussion covered UK-NATO-EU relations in the post-Brexit world, and touched on future possibilities for Scotland as well. 

Excerpt

Scott Brown (SB): In the run-up to the Brexit vote, there was lots of talk about potential security implications. We had interventions from former NATO Secretary Generals saying that we – the alliance – need a strong UK fully engaged in Europe, that there was no separation between political, economic, or security issues. They talked about Russia basically being an adversary; Stoltenberg issued such statements as well. There was also talk of the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander being switched to an EU member state, such as France. On the other hand, there were people that argued that the UK would become more involved in NATO to maintain its influence, once free from the EU. What’s your perspective of the implications of Brexit as far as the UK’s relationship with NATO, and NATO-Europe relations in general, are concerned?

Phil Breedlove (PB): My view is not shared by a lot of people, but I have a series of thoughts as to why I feel like I do.

First and foremost, the UK leaving the EU, to me, doesn’t threaten European security. Because the UK is not leaving NATO, and NATO is the military security of Europe. The EU and its military security force is very important – I don’t want to minimise that at all – but the command and control capabilities, the capability to move, shoot, sense, fight, that NATO has developed over time, is the security of Europe.

Find the article on CABLE’s website.