Twenty-First Century Warfare - Twentieth Century Rules
Jun 2006, Vol. 151, No. 3
By John Reid
In recent weeks I have been speaking about the changes we face in defence, above all the challenges posed by potential new threats we could not have envisaged just a few years ago. In essence, I have been saying two things. First, that the strategic landscape we see before us now, and the threats we face, are different – and significantly more complex – to anything we have faced before; and, second, that these are exacerbated by greater uncertainties ahead, be they ecological, economic, political or social. This affects us all; from the soldiers, sailors or airmen in the job we ask them to do, to the future of our grand alliances.Whilst we must retain and enhance what traditionally makes us strong, we must also face a new reality: that without change that strength cannot be taken for granted, and that the consequences of weakness could be bleak indeed. Now I would like to move on and widen that debate to address new elements – in particular to make some observations about the international legal framework in which we operate. I am not myself a lawyer but, as a practising politician, I understand how law continues to evolve in response to real changes in the world.
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By John Reid
In recent weeks I have been speaking about the changes we face in defence, above all the challenges posed by potential new threats we could not have envisaged just a few years ago. In essence, I have been saying two things. First, that the strategic landscape we see before us now, and the threats we face, are different – and significantly more complex – to anything we have faced before; and, second, that these are exacerbated by greater uncertainties ahead, be they ecological, economic, political or social. This affects us all; from the soldiers, sailors or airmen in the job we ask them to do, to the future of our grand alliances.Whilst we must retain and enhance what traditionally makes us strong, we must also face a new reality: that without change that strength cannot be taken for granted, and that the consequences of weakness could be bleak indeed. Now I would like to move on and widen that debate to address new elements – in particular to make some observations about the international legal framework in which we operate. I am not myself a lawyer but, as a practising politician, I understand how law continues to evolve in response to real changes in the world.
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