DEFENDING THE NATION: James Knuckey gives his view on reported declining UK-US security relations and why the PM likely isn’t the man to carry out the repairs.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
The relationships that have underpinned our security for decades are shifting beneath our feet – how Sir Keir Starmer responds could define his premiership. Beliefs that Donald Trump’s tirades on the UK were no more than just rhetoric seem to have been resoundingly disproven.
After weeks of mudslinging at the Prime Minister for Britain’s support during the Iran war, in the past days the US President has taken things up a notch. Mr Trump, a long-term NATO sceptic, has renewed threats to pull the US out of the alliance and mocked the state of the “too old” Royal Navy. The souring of relations – in quite typical Trumpian style – has been very public.
Donald Trump has spoken of his admiration for the King on numerous occasions (Image: Getty)
But it has emerged that behind the scenes, deep inside the corridors of Whitehall and Washington, fractures in the UK-US special relationship are appearing. Reports suggest British officials have lost trust in their most crucial and long-term ally, while it is also reported American officials seconded to UK government departments are now being asked to leave meetings when sensitive information is brought up.
The view that the special relationship extends beyond who is in the White House is being increasingly tested. And right now, the idea that Sir Keir – who is the polar opposite of Mr Trump in many ways – could be the man to arrest this decline feels at best unlikely, and at worst laughable.
Luckily, the UK does have its own trump card to play: the King, whose state visit to the US has been confirmed. While officially he will be there to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, it’s likely Charles will be tasked with attempting to smooth over relations. The President has made no secret of his admiration for the King and this may just be the UK’s best shot at getting him back onside.
So far, the only thing the Iran war has absolutely achieved is making Europe more united as Mr Trump tears down the foundations of the NATO “paper tiger”. Sir Keir said the events of the past month have shown why the UK must align itself closer with the continent. But the idea that Europe can survive without the US is unthinkable.
The UK cannot afford to let the special relationship and NATO fall apart, neither can it afford to let its defences continue to whittle away. Repairing UK-US relations might be Sir Keir’s biggest challenge yet and failure to do so would define his time as PM. He must prove Britain’s value without getting dragged into the Iran war — finally getting a move on with the Defence Investment Plan after months of delays would be a good place to start.
Donald Trump has ramped up his criticism of the UK and NATO over support in the Iran war (Image: Getty)
UK heroes in Gulf
As Britain continues to resist Mr Trump’s calls to join the war against Iran, it’s important to remember the vital defensive action of UK forces in the region. This week, RAF Regiment gunners in Iraq shot down “multiple” drones on an almost nightly basis as the Tehran regime continues to lash out on targets across the Middle East.
The troops have taken out dozens of UAVs since the start of the war using their Rapid Sentry air defence system. Rapid Sentry, which was procured under great secrecy in 2022, has now arrived in Kuwait as the UK bolsters its support to allies in the Gulf.
RAF fighter pilots, as well as Wildcat helicopters, are also flying defensive missions in the region. We must not overlook their stellar efforts due to the political noise surrounding the conflict.
Starmer’s boarding threat yet to play out
Ships that are allegedly part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet continue to traverse the UK, suggesting Sir Keir’s boarding threat is having little impact. It’s been nearly two weeks since British forces were given the green light to intercept and detain the sanctioned vessels, which are suspected of helping to fund the Kremlin’s war machine, travelling through UK waters.
Yet no interceptions have occurred and Vladimir Putin must be thinking he’s called the PM’s bluff.
Analysis by Reuters published early last week found sanctioned tankers were continuing to pass through the Channel at the same volumes as before the announcement, with eight ships in the waters at one point.
This doesn’t mean interceptions aren’t coming and if they do, they will be a major story. Watch this space.