"Britain has lost a empire, but it still has not found its own role today." When Esselson, who once served as the Secretary of State of the US Truman government, faced a famous speech at the West Point Military Academy in December 1962,He should not expect how this speech would have an impact in the UK.
At that time, Esheson had just pushed the Cuban missile crisis in the Kennedy National Security Executive Committee.He is concerned about how to promote European cooperation to curb the expansion of the Soviet Union, and Britain is not a highlight in his speech.What he wants to emphasize is the importance of a joint and prosperous Europe on the national interests of the United States.The content of the British in the speech is to emphasize that if Britain tries to exert a greater international influence, its path can only be integrated into Europe deeper. After all, Esseson himself has been scoffed.
Etzon's West Point speech stirred thousands of waves, and the response of British society caused tremendous pressure on the conservative party government of the United States and the then British McMaren.Although the White House explained that Essean's speech was a personal behavior since then, Kennedy did not know his speech beforehand. McMilun even expressed his public letter to Essean's speech to criticize his point of view.In fact, it accurately reflects the embarrassment of the Britain after the war in the new international environment.
A few days after Essen's speech, the United States canceled the "Skybolt" program providing Britain with air -to -ground missiles.This has undoubtedly further stimulated Britain's understanding of the "special relationship between Britain and the United States", and more actively integrates into Europe, becoming a feasible choice.
Therefore, when British society was referendum in 2016 and eventually completed the Brexit procedure in 2020, the speech of Esison 60 years ago returned to the British foreign affairs and national security strategy.Discussion.The British Conservative Government and the current Labor Government are trying to seek Britain's own "role".
The conservative party government since Trysa May chose to emphasize Britain's global identity, propose a foreign policy of "Global Britain", emphasizing that Britain will exert global influence after Brexit, and it is no longer limited to being used as a time.EU's "one of the three driving troops".As American allies attach more and more attention to the existence of the Indo-Pacific region, Britain has also actively adjusted the Indo-Pacific policy and proposed the strategy of "Indo-PACIFIC TILT", trying to strengthenInfluence.
The Labor Government, which has just been on stage, has previously criticized the Conservative Party that does not pay attention to the existence of Britain in the south of the world. Therefore, it did not continue the strategic positioning of "Global Britain" after the stage.This concept emphasizes the relationship between the reconstruction with the allies and establishes relations with emerging developing countries.Judging from the positioning of British characters on the two parties, whether it is the "Global Britain" of the Conservative Party or the Labor Party's "Re -connected Britain", Britain's existence in the Indo -Pacific region occupy a lot of space.On October 20, British Foreign Minister Lami also proposed a security connection with Indonesia and South Korea.
But the question is, can Britain really find his own role in India?
Britain's existence in Indo -Pacific has at least two dilemmas. One is whether Britain's strength can support performances in the Indo -Pacific region; second, Britain seems to want to perform on the wrong stage.
The re -positioning of its own characters has reflected the various dilemmas faced by Britain after Brexit. From "Global Britain" to "Re -connected Britain", it has implied that the United Kingdom does not have a comprehensive national strength that has become global. BritainIt is European instead of Indo -Pacific.
The development of the Indo -Pacific region is attractive for countries around the world, especially in the region, including stable development of Asian security, but Britain chooses the wrong direction of power, is not satisfied with economic connection and tries to strengthen military security.
For the Labor Government, the role of Britain should be determined in China. As a country outside the country, Britain will not find a role in India. What can be found is just a illusion, either an imperial illusion, or an illusion of Anglo Saxon.No matter which one, they have been crushed in the 20th century.
The author is an assistant researcher at Chengdu Sendong Research Institute