On March 16, 2021, the British government published a document titled “Global Britain in a Competitive Age – The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy”, the result of the most comprehensive strategic review conducted since the end of the Cold War. This document serves as a roadmap for the practical implementation of the “Global Britain” concept introduced in 2016, outlining the United Kingdom’s strategic ambitions and global role through 2030 in the post-Brexit era.
A key element of this vision is the “Indo-Pacific tilt,” through which the United Kingdom aims to become “the European partner with the broadest and most integrated presence” in this increasingly strategic region by 2030. The pivot is based on three main pillars: economic opportunities, security considerations, and the role of values. The initiatives put forward are intended to support the UK’s ambition to uphold the liberal world order and promote openness, democracy, and human rights—without directly confronting China.
The first year of implementation was marked by the establishment of new partnerships, the strengthening of existing ties with countries in the region, and the launch of several concrete defense initiatives. The aim of this study is to examine the motivations and context behind the UK’s turn toward the Indo-Pacific region, the development of its relations with regional states, and the key initiatives outlined in the Integrated Review.
