Analysis of Britains Drift from the Global Stage Is Not Even More Worrying Article by Erlange - Essay Example

Britain’s Drift from the Global Stage Is Not Even More Worrying; Its Non-Uniformity in Responding to International Crises Is To the Editor of the NewYork Times April 28, 2015. Steven Erlanger, Sir, you’re right, according to your opinion in your article of 27 April, that Britain’s military reach has continued to diminish, while it has “played little role in confronting Russia over Ukraine and strictly limited its response to crises in the Middle East and Africa” (Erlanger, n.p.). But it is even worse and unfair that you suggested the absence of Britain from the global stage as the only problem, without stating clearly that Britain’s response to international crises is non-uniform, unequal and unfair. The recent trend as demonstrated by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, of refusing to participate in the Ukraine crisis talks, suggests that the once internationally relevant nation in history; is slowly losing its focus. In stating this, I do not wish to suggest that Britain draws its relevance or respect from its entire participation in any international crisis. Instead, I wish to point out that the nation is missing when it is increasingly required to feature, and for that, it is losing its international influence. Your article has rightly and accurately observed that Britain’s alliance is no longer central to any nation (Erlanger, n.p.). Britain did not join France and Germany when they went to hold a peace talk between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, as a way of resolving the Ukraine crises. However, if my memory serves me right, Britain was engaged in both the Syrian and the Libyan crises, and not just engaged, but embroiled in them. Right now, it is two of her European counterparts that are involved in a security crisis that does not only threaten the two nations, but also the entire European Union’s stability. What does Britain do in this case? She avoids the peace meeting that would resolve the crisis without creating much instability in the region. This would easily cause anyone to think that Britain is surely misplacing its priorities or does not have any at all. That however is not the greatest of my concern. The non-uniform response to crisis that has been shown by Britain is what worries me even more. Why should Britain decide to engage in the Syrian and the Libyan Crisis, but snub the Ukraine crisis peace talk? Your article has observed that Britain’s future in the European Union is unclear (Erlanger, n.p.). But even though, shouldn’t Britain be more concerned about a crisis that is looming within the European region, than it should be concerned with the crisis in the Middle East or Africa? Again, in arguing so, I do not wish to suggest that a country should help the countries with which it has close proximity and avoid those that are distant a way. Neither, do I wish to suggest that Britain should be more concerned and involved in the Ukraine crisis than it should be concerned about the Syrian or the Libyan crisis. My only concern is for fairness. Britain did show some response to the Syrian and the Libyan crises. Let her show some similar response to the Ukraine crises too. Sir, your article has referred the Russia-Ukraine crisis as the “the biggest European crisis since the end of World War II” (Erlanger, n.p.). This reference is meant to underline the significance of the crisis not only to the European Union and region, but also globally. Nevertheless, even then, Britain has refused to participate in resolving this crisis, and has opted to remain conspicuously absent. I do not wish to accuse Britain of complacency. At the same time, I do not wish to accuse Britain of neglecting its neighbors at a time of need. However, I think that I do not lack the moral authority to ask Britain to be fair and uniform in its response to international crises. Playing the role of an arbiter between Russia and Ukraine is an important role that Britain could have played, which could have earned the nation even more respect. In fact, I hold that the Russia-Ukraine situation is one of the most opportune moments that Britain should have seized to increase its ranking globally as a major international partner in resolving international crises. Further, nothing could have shown a touch of goodwill for the European region, than Britain joining Germany and France in their peace talk trip to Moscow. My greatest question therefore is; where will Britain stand once the other nations manage to fight the Ukraine crisis and resolve it amicably? Will the nation still have self-respect for itself? Distant nations such as the USA are actively trying to resolve a major European crisis while Britain is still asleep. A crisis in the European region should be the utmost concern for Brittan, considering that Europe has been looked upon by the other global regions as the epitome of peace in the 21stcentury. Britain has also been respected as a major partner in international crisis resolution. However, the nation is losing this respect, because of failing to act, when the rest of the world expects it to react. In the presence of Britain and the other European powers such as Germany and France, there would be no need for the international community to be engaged in resolving the Ukraine crisis. My take therefore is that Britain has not only failed itself, but also failed the whole of Europe, by showing lack of cooperation in resolving the European affairs among the European nations. Therefore, I wish to agree with your argument in the article that “David Cameron has presided over the biggest loss of influence for Britain in a generation” (). While it is now expected that Britain should stride confidently towards the world and show its power of influence, the nation is gradually retreating back. At this pace, there is no doubt that the influence of Britain will be remembered and read in history, just like the power of Soviet Union is remembered today. Even though, it would only be fair if Britain applies impartiality, uniformity and fairness in responding to international crises, by participating in resolving the Ukraine crisis. The rest of us can wait for when the British power of influence will have been forgotten. Then we shall proudly remind the coming generations that Britain was once relevant in international affairs, when we once knew it. …………………………….. Name: Works Cited Erlanger, Steven. Britain’s Drift from the Global Stage Becomes an Election Issue. The New York Times, April 27, 2015. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/world/europe/britains-drift-from-the-global-stage-becomes-an-election-issue.html?ref=world Read More