British Way of War: Lessons from Recent History

Presented byProfessor Theo FarrellHead of War Studies

“Essentially businesslike tradition”

NATO strategy?

NSID (OD) Strategy 2007

1. Reduce the insurgency2. Ensure AQ does not return3. Strengthen Afghan state

4. Reduce drugs trade5. Support Afghan compact goals6. Keep allies engaged

UK public opinion

Success of campaigns?

27% 30%

The UOR spend

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12Afghan 838 774 794 415

Iraq 223 45 -3 0

Total 1,061 819 719 415

Big spender

The “make do” military

Fre

qu

ency

600

500

400

300

200

100

0AgreeNot sureDisagree

557

191

46

Figure 14: Information networks will be the most important asset to the success of military operations in 2020

Disagree Not sure Agree

European 6 24 70

France 4 53 43

Germany 9 17 74

Netherlands

4 17 79

Poland - 18 82

Romania - 20 80

Spain 8 28 64

UK 25 22 53

Information networks = most important asset in 2020

ISTAR: the key enabler

The lessons

(1) War talk

(2) Mind the “Gap”