Force for good

Opportunities and challenges of deployed operations

With over 400,000 personnel and the second-highest expenditure in the world, the UK’s armed forces are a significant player in international peace and stability efforts. Applied expertise in areas such as civil governance, logistics, procurement, healthcare and resource management can help secure real advantages.

However, the politics of the Iraq and Afghanistan operations have impacted on the national narrative about defence: negative stories in the press mix with reduced public engagement with the armed forces, closing off open discussion about the broader opportunities and challenges raised by current deployed operations.

This round table discussion, sponsored jointly by Atos Origin and the New Statesman, examines the valuable role that the British Armed Forces play in complementing the UK’s foreign policy and international development agenda, and considers how these benefits can be sustained and enhanced over time.

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