Rethinking Security presented its case for a Human Security Strategy at the Lib Dems conference in Bournemouth in September. Richard Reeve here advances five evidenced arguments that should inform Lib Dem policy before the next general election.
Stick and Twist: The UK bets big on existential competition
The UK has revealed its hand for its new national security strategy, released on 13 March. Or has it? In this new long read, Richard Reeve argues that the UK is placing three big, long bets in its Integrated Review Refresh with major consequences and opportunity costs for tackling the environmental and social crises that threaten us all
Building from Ukraine: From Solidarity to Systemic Change
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has elicited unprecedented international condemnation as well as expressions of solidarity with its resisters. Richard Reeve suggests six ways that this war compels the UK, Europe and the world to take action and move from selective solidarity to global systemic change. Many people feel powerless in the face of Russia’s … Continue reading Building from Ukraine: From Solidarity to Systemic Change
Heavy lift human security: The UK military and fragile states
In this essay, first published in a new volume by the Foreign Policy Centre and Peaceful Change Initiative, Richard Reeve analyses whether, after an era of catastrophic foreign military interventions and amidst talk of ever wider deployments and campaigns, there are still positive internationalist roles that the British Armed Forces could be fulfilling.
Reclaiming the Right to Fight: Global Britain and International Law
A flurry of diplomatic and military initiatives has recently heralded the implementation of the Global Britain strategy set out in March’s Integrated Review. Richard Reeve analyses the New Atlantic Charter between UK and US and finds a gaping hole where the commitment to delegitimise use of force once stood.
The Infinite Review: Global Britain and its Competitive Priorities
The UK Government’s Integrated Review sets an ambitious agenda to be a contender in an era of global competition. Unshackled from Europe, everything seems to be a priority. Richard Reeve argues that, for all the talk of its soft and scientific superpowers, the opportunity to save the world and protect and serve its people has been wasted.
The Case for a Human Security Strategy
Between Covid and climate catastrophe, 2021 is a time of intense human insecurity. With neither Government nor Opposition likely to develop a strategy that addresses this, Richard Reeve argues that it's high time the UK had a human security strategy.
NATO and Human Security: Obfuscation and Opportunity
Is it cynical, even paradoxical, for a military alliance like NATO to be talking about human security? In his contribution to a new volume published by NATO Watch, Richard Reeve argues that there is opportunism and considerable room for confusion in NATO's embrace of the concept, but also the opportunity for a deeper conversation on how real security can be promoted and by whom.
Force for Good?: The Politics of Military Spending
One year after a decisive election and on the verge of a definitive break with the EU, there is still little substance to the government’s Global Britain slogan. The three big political parties are talking about the UK’s future role in the world, says Richard Reeve, but do any have a compelling vision for how the country can work collaboratively for sustainable global change?
Report of ‘Radically Rethinking Security’ Workshop
Richard Reeve reflects on a workshop that broadened the Rethink Security network by bringing academic specialists together with policy and practice experts from civil society to formulate a radical rethinking of UK foreign and security policy.
Shared Security: Humans and Humanity in National Security Policy
In this article from a new volume on building a values-based foreign policy for the UK, Jonathan Cohen, Teresa Dumasy and Richard Reeve argue that a new security strategy should put at its heart the wellbeing of people and the shared security of the planet and humanity.