U.K. & U.S. To Establish Joint Strategy Board
U.S. and British leaders agreed to stand up a strategy board comprising national security, state and intelligence officials to address long-term defense and economic issues affecting each country.
“The Board will help enable a more guided, coordinated approach to analyze the ‘over the horizon’ challenges we may face in the future and also how today’s challenges are likely to shape our future choices,” according to a statement released by the White House and the British Prime Minister’s Downing Street Office.
The board will report to the U.S and British national security advisers, Thomas Donilon and Sir Peter Ricketts. The agreement was announced on the second day of President Barack Obama’s two-day state visit to Britain.
“It is designed to better integrate long-term thinking and planning into the day-to-day work of our governments and our bilateral relationship, as we contemplate how significant evolutions in the global economic and security environment will require shifts in our shared strategic approach,” according to the statement.
It’s one of six specific areas Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron have discussed to help bolster the allies’ relationship. Other areas include increased co-operation in protecting cyberspace and global economic development.
Obama and Cameron also discussed improving the care given to their veterans who are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The two countries will stand up a Service Personnel and Veterans Task Force to “build on existing cooperation and share best practices” to help care for the wounded and returning veterans transitioning back to family life.
Clifford Stanley, U.S. undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and Andrew Robathan, U.K. minister for defense personnel, welfare and veterans, will jointly head the task force.
“As our servicemen and women have stood shoulder to shoulder in recent operations, so the U.S. and U.K. will stand together in recognizing the sacrifices made by them and their families and in ensuring that we give them the best support possible,” according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Downing Street Office.
By MICHAEL HOFFMAN
