ABSTRACT
The UK's position as the leading economic and military power in the mid-nineteenth century was closely related to its possession of the world's most powerful navy, providing security for global trade and a far-flung empire. The strategic shocks have been arriving with increasing frequency since 2014. Russian aggression in Ukraine was followed by the dramatic success of Daesh in Iraq, the intensification of the Syrian Civil War and an upsurge in terrorist attacks across both the Middle East and Europe. The UK is only beginning to come to terms with the election of Donald Trump as US president, promising a radical shift in policy towards an 'America First' approach. The UK remains a firm supporter of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has demonstrated since the Brexit vote that it remains committed to playing a leading role in generating the capabilities that it requires.
