The Retreat from Strategy

'The authors offer a biting critique of the disconnect between London’s ambitions and its practical power on the global stage. ...A timely contribution.'

-- Diplomatic Courier

'Persuasive [...] Richards and Lindley-French are to be congratulated on laying out the problem so clearly.'

-- The Critic
‘A ruthless demolition of the illusions that cover up years of underinvestment in Britain’s defence. Disturbing, compulsory reading for anyone who cares about European security in the twenty-first century.’ -- Jeremy Bowen, International Editor, BBC News
‘An extremely informed and thought-provoking critical examination of Britain’s current strategic posture, and a clarion call to action. Offering a roadmap for the UK’s immediate and long-term strategic direction, it is full of wisdom, insight and clear thinking. A must-read for all Britain’s leaders—political, diplomatic and military.’ -- James Holland, author of The Savage Storm and Normandy ’44

‘In liberal democracies, long-term decision-making requires popular support. Our history and geography gave us responsibilities as well as powers. A nuclear power and a key player in NATO, Britain has for too long confused values and interests, and failed to align them.’

-- Gisela Stuart, Member of the House of Lords and Chair, Wilton Park

‘An exceedingly compelling, forthright and alarming assessment of the growing disconnect between the ambitions of Global Britain and the limits of its reduced military capacity at a time of mounting security threats to the UK and to its interests in Europe and around the world. A hugely important book by two highly respected practitioners and thinkers.’

-- General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; former director of the CIA; and co-author of the New York Times best-selling book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine
‘A full-throated warning about what happens if Great Britain fails to develop the necessary strategy and strengthen the essential alliances required for long-term security and prosperity. But what makes this book special and important are its achievable recommendations for designing such a strategy.’ -- Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe

‘A passionate call from two prestigious authors for the UK to regain its traditional role of strategic and military leadership in Europe and the trans-Atlantic theatre, in the face of an impending Russian threat to our democracies and values. A must-read for all.’

-- Giampaolo Di Paola, former Italian minister for defence and former chairman of the NATO Military Committee
‘There are many who can see strategic decay and describe it in exquisite detail, but precious few who can provide the kinds of insights and prescriptions essential for the UK to ready itself for the kind of war we’ll actually face. Thankfully, there are few authors better qualified to educate us on the realistic strategy demanded by our current circumstances and thrust upon us by today’s evolving technologies. The Retreat from Strategy should be required reading at the war colleges of the NATO nations, and more broadly of the community of democracies.’ -- General (Ret.) John R. Allen, United States Marine Corps