As the last bodies of the 30 British people killed in the attack on the Tunisian beach of Sousse return home and the anniversary of the London terrorist attack that took place on July 7th2007 approaches, the United Kingdom is called once again to reflect upon terrorism and how far the day of its defeat is. Over the past few years the government has been more concerned with therise of extremism taking place within the country than with counter terrorism actions abroad. The attack that took place on June 26th in Tunisia could now make the government reconsider its strategy abroad and to direct more efforts towards foreign policy.
The spirit of the British, and perhaps even more their military and economic resources, has been exhausted by the long periods of engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to this, the economic crisis and the domestic tensions over benefit cuts and the welfare state have made the British tired of foreign policy. As Alex Massie wrote on Foreign Policy: “The spirit of “If not us, then who?” that spawned Tony Blair’s interventions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and the Middle East has been replaced with a cry of “Why us?”” Such change was evident during the recent elections campaigns, in which foreign policy was not treated as a key issue at all. Despite the survey conducted by the Chatham House last February (discussed here) revealed that the British people still wish the UK to play a major role in world affairs it seems that they are not interested inwhat would fulfil this aspiration.
Even after the attack on the beach of Sousse, an attack that took place outside of the UK,much of the focus was on domestic issues. A week ago, David Cameron revealed to the House of Commons that up to five British terror plots have been prevented in the last few months only. The Prime Minister was also careful to pointed out that the fight is not between Islam and the West as ISIS wants people to believe.Indeed, the Prime Minister has recently protested about the use by the media of the words “Islamic State”,saying the term gives legitimacy to a terrorist group that is neither a state nor representing Islam. In the meantime, a two-day counterterrorism exercise took place in London last week. The exercise was planned after the Charlie Hebdo attack last January but the more recent attack gave it an even stronger meaning in people’s minds.
Radicalization within the country is certainly a great challenge British society and its government face today.It is also true that war and propaganda are very much interlinked and the terminology used does matter. Yet, as the attack on the beach of Sousse demonstrated, terrorism is a threat that originates from and acts abroad as well, with worldwide repercussions.The Prime Minister has pledged a “full spectrum” response to the terrorist attack in Tunisia.In the past, David Cameron has been criticized for the UK’s lack of involvement in Syria. While it is still unclear what this “full spectrum” response will entail, the Prime Minister has now re-opened the discussion on Syria, saying that “We need to crush Isis in Iraq and Syria.” Last Wednesday the defence secretary Michael Fannon announced that air strikes against terrorist targets in Syria are now an option being considered.In the last parliament the Labour party twice blocked action against Syria but the overall majority enjoyed by the Conservatives might give the parliament the means to circumvent their opposition.There is no plan in placeat the moment, at least publicly, but it seems that the attack on the beach of Sousse could have important implications for Syria and the UK’s engagement in counter terrorism abroad.
As the last bodies of the 30 British people killed in the attack on the Tunisian beach of Sousse return home and the anniversary of the London terrorist attack that took place on July 7th2007 approaches, the United Kingdom is called once again to reflect upon terrorism and how far the day of its defeat is. Over the past few years the government has been more concerned with therise of extremism taking place within the country than with counter terrorism actions abroad. The attack that took place on June 26th in Tunisia could now make the government reconsider its strategy abroad and to direct more efforts towards foreign policy.
The spirit of the British, and perhaps even more their military and economic resources, has been exhausted by the long periods of engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to this, the economic crisis and the domestic tensions over benefit cuts and the welfare state have made the British tired of foreign policy. As Alex Massie wrote on Foreign Policy: “The spirit of “If not us, then who?” that spawned Tony Blair’s interventions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and the Middle East has been replaced with a cry of “Why us?”” Such change was evident during the recent elections campaigns, in which foreign policy was not treated as a key issue at all. Despite the survey conducted by the Chatham House last February (discussed here) revealed that the British people still wish the UK to play a major role in world affairs it seems that they are not interested inwhat would fulfil this aspiration.
