A welcome return of defence diplomacy

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox has given an interview to the Sunday Express, where he talks about overcoming a sense of “colonial guilt” bestowed by revisionist historians and the need for a new government to forge defence links with commonwealth nations, such as Australia and New Zealand, but he also cited India and Saudi Arabia. They have a “strong appetite” for closer defence links with the UK, he argues.
 
Looking at variable defence relationships with countries like India, and non-NATO partners like Australia makes good sense. Nicolas Sarkozy has done the same – and even invited Indian troops to march down the Champs-Élysées last year on Bastille Day. A parade down the Mall with Indonesian, Indian, Pakistani, Brazilian, Chilean troops would be a powerful – and colourful – show of “Fox Doctrine”.
 
But this policy is not without problems, even when it comes to close allies. Having worked with the Australian Army in Basra, I have the utmost respect for their commitment, and effort.