So Much For That U.S. - British "Special Relationship"

Gen Sir David Richards said there was a "debate" in London about the cost of the Britain's relationship with the US. Photo: REUTERS

Britain May Not Be Able To Afford 'Special Relationship' With US, General Sir David Richards Warns -- The Telegraph

Britain could soon be forced to abandon the “special relationship” with the United States because it may not be worth the cost in military spending, the head of the Armed Forces said Wednesday.

General Sir David Richards said that with reduced forces, the Government would have to consider jeopardising their influence over its closest ally and world's leading power by deciding to “say no”.

In a speech in Washington, Gen Richards said that while for him it was a “no-brainer” that Britain's best interests lay in sticking to the US, “there is a debate in London” about whether that is the case.

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My Comment: Money talks .... and Britain has none at the moment.

The U.S. Navy Is Losing Patience With Getting Their Own F-35

The British Harrier GR-9A is are similar in configuration to the U.S. Marine Corps’ AV-8B night attack version. Their ground attack capabilities are similar and the two also share a common engine. Photo: UK MOD

Navy, Corps Buying Decommissioned U.K. Harriers -- Navy Times

The Navy and Marine Corps have agreed to buy Britain’s entire decommissioned fleet of 74 Harrier jump jets, along with engines and spare parts — a move expected to help the Corps operate Harriers into the mid-2020s and provide extra planes to replace aging two-seat F-18D Hornet strike fighters.

Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, chief of the Navy’s Supply Corps, confirmed the two-part deal last week during a conference in New York sponsored by Bank of America Merrill Lynch in association with Defense News.

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More News On The US Navy/Marines Puying Britain's Harrier Fleet

US to buy ex-British Harriers -- Defense Web
US Marines 'to buy all UK harriers ' -- Defence Management
U.S. To Buy Decommissioned British Harrier Jets -- Defense News
U.S. Marine Corps Negotiates Buying Decommissioned British Harriers -- Defense-Update

My Comment: I suspect that the price to get these jets is going to be very cheap, but the message that it gives to the F-35 program is priceless.

Is The U.S. Displeased With The New British - French Military Alliance?

Defence Pact With French 'Risks Alliance With The U.S.', Washington's Former Ambassador To The UN Warns -- The Daily Mail

David Cameron was warned last night that his new defence pact with France will provoke a split with the Americans.

John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the UN, told the Mail the deal to share nuclear secrets and aircraft carriers with France is not supported by large sections of the American defence community.

He claimed the deal – dubbed the Entente Frugale because it saves money – will lead Washington to cut intelligence sharing with the UK and lead to the subordination of British sovereignty.

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Previous Post: A Landmark 50-Year Defence Deal Is Signed Between Britain And France

My Comment: Considering the financial crisis that both European countries are now going through, the U.S. will probably turn a blind eye to this new military arrangement.

White House Offer To Station A U.S. Aircraft Carrier Off The British Coast During The London Olympics Has Been Rejected

(Click Image to Enlarge)
Offer: The White House Wants To Send A U.S. Aircraft Carrier To Be Stationed Off The British Coast And Boost Security During The London Olympics

U.S. Wants Own Aircraft Carrier In The Thames Estuary During Olympics -- The Daily Mail

The White House has offered to send a U.S. aircraft carrier to be stationed off the British coast and boost security during the London Olympics, Ministry of Defence sources claimed last night.

The suggestion is said to have been rejected by No10 because it would make the UK look ‘weak’. And last night Downing Street was silent on the claim.

But a well-placed source, with knowledge of international discussions about security for the 2012 Games, said the MoD had been offered a U.S. carrier, based in the Thames Estuary, to help defend the skies over London and eavesdrop on any terrorist ‘chatter’.

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My Comment: British pride is on full display .... but if something goes terribly wrong, there will be hell to pay politically if the presence of such a vessel would have made a difference.

The Changing U.S. - British Military Relationship

British soldiers firing at Taliban positions in Helmand. Britain is the United States’ most important ally in the coalition. Eros Hoagland for The New York Times

Failure To Fund Armed Forces 'Threatens Britain's Special Relationship With US' -- The Telegraph

Britain's "special relationship" with the United States is threatened by our Government's failure to properly fund its Armed Forces and "hold up its end of the bargain", a senior US economist has warned.

Irwin Stelzer, a senior fellow and director of Hudson Institute's economic policy studies group, said Britain and America face the same global threats - international terrorism, nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea and Iran, the Taliban threat in Pakistan and a resurgent Russia.

But while Britain has previously always stood shoulder to shoulder with its bigger ally on defence issues, he said, recent political decisions not to do so – apparently motivated by cost – has made the Pentagon nervous and led it to question the UK's commitment.

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More News On Britain

PM 'will listen to Army demands' -- BBC
Armed Forces chiefs call for more troops and helicopters in Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
U.K. Army Chief Dannatt Says More Resources Needed -- Bloomberg
Relentless rise of Afghanistan casualties laid bare -- Times Online
Scarcity of Copters Fuels British Debate Over War -- New York Times

My Comment: A lack of leadership and direction from the top, coupled with a lack of funding and monies necessary to maintain a properly equipped military .... has brought Britain to where it is today.

For me .... the symbol of idiocy can be seen in their development of two new aircraft carriers for their Navy. While they are building these ships .... they have yet to commit the resources for its airplanes, and while this debate is going on, British soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan do not have the necessary helicopters to fly them around.

I am sure that when U.S. Generals and Defense staff look at what is happening to what was once the world's most formidable fighting force .... they are shaking their heads.

US Government Renews Threat To Withdraw Intelligence Sharing

Binyam Mohamed claimed he was tortured Photo: PA

From The Telegraph:

The Obama administration has threatened to restrict intelligence sharing arrangements with Britain if a court publishes details of the treatment of Binyam Mohamed, the former Guantanamo Bay inmate.

The High Court agreed to re-open the case last week after lawyers for Mr Mohamed argued that it was unclear if the new government maintained the position of the Bush administration.

However, a letter from the US government, marked the "Obama administration's communication," has been filed with the High Court by the Foreign Office which is continuing to fight to keep details of Mohamed's treatment secret.

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My Comment: How times have changed. The U.S./U,K. intelligence relationship is clearly going through rough times.

Obama Threatens To Limit U.S. Intel With Brits

President Obama with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain after meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Doug Mills/The New York Times

From The Washington Times:

The Obama administration says it may curtail Anglo-American intelligence sharing if the British High Court discloses new details of the treatment of a former Guantanamo detainee.

A court filing from the British Foreign Office released recently includes a letter from the U.S. government, identified as the "Obama administration's communication." Other information identifying the U.S. agency and author of the letter appears to have been redacted.

The letter says:

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My Comment: U.S. and British intelligence services have a long history of sharing information .... I guess this is about to end.

The U.S. Needs A Reset Button for Britain -- A Commentary

From Commentary Magazine:

While President Barack Obama tries to improve U.S. relations with rogue states like Syria and Iran, he might want to ensure ties with our closest ally aren’t strained in the meantime. Damascus and Tehran will remain hostile as long as they’re ruled by Bashar Assad and Ayatollah Khamenei, but Britain has long been a reliable friend no matter who is in charge. President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair forged a strong personal friendship despite their ideological differences, yet President Obama is off to an embarrassing start with his Downing Street counterpart.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown felt half snubbed on his visit to the U.S. a few days ago when he didn’t receive the customary press conference and dinner. According to London’s Daily Telegraph, the Obama administration says the president was too tired.

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My Comment: I agree with Michael Totten's commentary .... a better job should have been done. It appears that we are witnessing a number of growing pains for the Obama White House. I can only hope that there will not be too many of these "embarrassing" moments in the future.