UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

Yes, neither is Canada. In our case we're still inexorably bound to the US's interests and there's not much to do, really. It's not a measuring contest here. It's dealing with the new realities. The UK is not as nearly bound to the USA. If they wish to retain autonomy, security, and also influence in the 21st century despite their small stature, they may need a new strategy if the sun is setting on their closest ally's empire. Especially if said ally is prone to fits like recently happened regarding their dependability. (I still can't fathom why the the UK would choose to leave the EU at this delicate point where mid-sized democratic powers need every friend they can get.)

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#5

Post by dukeyukey » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 4:51 PM UTC

Ambolia wrote: post #2

That's true, but the UK is barely a power at all.

Well, compared to 95% of countries the UK is. You've got the US as top dog, an unproven China, and Russia able to act with impunity in their back yard but nowhere else. Then you've got the UK and France, able to project solid power anywhere that isn't landlocked, and quite a few that are.

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#6

Post by arethuza » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 5:01 PM UTC

retrac wrote: post #4

Ambolia wrote: post #2

That's true, but the UK is barely a power at all.

Yes, neither is Canada. In our case we're still inexorably bound to the US's interests and there's not much to do, really. It's not a measuring contest here. It's dealing with the new realities. The UK is not as nearly bound to the USA. If they wish to retain autonomy, security, and also influence in the 21st century despite their small stature, they may need a new strategy if the sun is setting on their closest ally…

There is also a fair chance that the UK in its current form won't exist in 10 years time.

This creates a particular problem for the UK's nuclear deterrent - which is based in Scotland.

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#7

Post by sschueller » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 5:12 PM UTC

true_maybe wrote: post #3

The US spends more[1] and has greater production capacity[2] than any other country ever has. If it is not a superpower, then what is it? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_... [2]: https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297a/U.S.%20Defense%20Indust...

The US is able to print more money than anyone else because it is the reserve currency right now. The rest of the world pays for it...

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#8

Post by Veen » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 5:12 PM UTC

arethuza wrote: post #6

retrac wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, neither is Canada. In our case we're still inexorably bound to the US's interests and there's not much to do, really. It's not a measuring contest here. It's dealing with the new realities. The UK is not as nearly bound to the USA. If they wish to retain autonomy, security, and also influence in the 21st century despite their small stature, they may need a new strategy if the sun is setting on their closest ally…

There is also a fair chance that the UK in its current form won't exist in 10 years time. This creates a particular problem for the UK's nuclear deterrent - which is based in Scotland.

Any independence deal is likely to include an agreement to lease Faslane to the UK, at least for a while. The SNP won't like it, but there needs to be a pragmatic solution. If that doesn't work out, there are alternatives, but it would be hugely expensive.

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#9

Post by Veen » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 5:16 PM UTC

Ambolia wrote: post #2

That's true, but the UK is barely a power at all.

The UK is much less than a super power, but it is more capable of projecting power globally than most middle-ranking countries, largely because of the Royal Navy.

Re: UK defence secretary suggests US is no longer a superpower

#10

Post by detritus » Thu, Sep 02, 2021, 5:19 PM UTC

Ambolia wrote: post #2

That's true, but the UK is barely a power at all.

Did you bother to read the article, or did you simply decide to take the headline here on HN personally and then respond snidely? Did that somehow improve matters? Did it help re-inflate the stature of your great land?

"Wallace started by saying: “It is obvious that Britain is not a superpower,” before appearing to switch focus to the US." ... "a superpower that is also not prepared to stick at something isn’t probably a superpower either. It is certainly not a global force, it’s just a big power”.