Another Middle East war would be disastrous for Britain – here’s how it can avoid mission creep
The strikes have been in retaliation for Houthi attacks on shipping – both merchant and naval – in the Red Sea in recent months.
- The strikes have been in retaliation for Houthi attacks on shipping – both merchant and naval – in the Red Sea in recent months.
- UK government minister Huw Merriman claimed recently that these airstrikes are not just a “one off”.
- For almost a decade, the Houthis have been subject to airstrikes by their Sunni rivals in Saudi Arabia and they have proved resilient.
- Western foreign policy in the Middle East has historically been tainted by what some call “mission creep”.
Clarity of purpose
- There are three main conditions governing how we come to regard a military engagement as constituting mission-creep.
- These are: the scope of conflict, as well as the temporal parameters and spatial limits.
- Sunak must emphasise that any military action taken will be limited to naval and aerial assaults.
Past successes and failures
- The then defence secretary, Michael Portillo, similarly received questions on the potential dangers of mission creep.
- He made a statement in the House of Commons in which he stated:
I am determined that the Nato operation will be limited in scope. - In part, this was shaped by its failures to withdraw in a timely manner.
- The current government needs to do the same when making tough foreign policy decisions about the Middle East.
Ben Soodavar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.