ICSR convened a high-level panel to discuss Britain’s first ever national security strategy the day after it was officially unveiled. It consisted of former Defence and Home Secretary Rt Hon John Reid, former Cabinet Office intelligence coordinator Sir David Omand, and Dr. John Gearson, Associate Fellow of ICSR.
At the ICSR event, all three speakers welcomed the idea of having a national security strategy. But there were sharp differences as to whether the present document satisfied the requirement for a coherent, long-term strategic vision. All agreed that the document was an important first step, and that it needed to be developed through systematic engagement with key stakeholders over the coming months. The ICSR event represented the foundation for this process.