Thread by @SimonFraser00

1/9: The #UK government will soon publish its #IntegratedReview of defence, security, development & #ForeignPolicy. This is an important inflection point: we need a comprehensive, credible vision of the #GlobalBritain agenda after #Brexit. What to expect?.. a thread..

2/9: The #IntegratedReview will set principles to guide individual policies, advocating agile, global British reach in support of democratic values. Johnson’s strap-line is “#UK as a force for good”. But lofty principles will only be credible if hard, practical choices are made.

3/9: Much will be orthodox: supporting effective #multilateralism, rule of law, open #trade. I expect strong commitment to the #US relationship (whatever some say, #Biden is a godsend for Johnson) & lots about the fashionable but nebulous concept of an “#IndoPacific tilt”.

4/9: In #Europe the importance of working with the collective #EU will be minimised (or ignored). A strong UK defence role in the Euro-Atlantic area through #NATO will be a priority. The #IntegratedReview will play up bilateral relations with #France & #Germany - and the #E3.

5/9: How the #IntegratedReview addresses #China is crucial. Johnson recently said he is a Sinofile. But the situation in Hong Kong, abuses in Xinjiang, tension in US China relations & hardening mood of the pubic & Conservative party, dictate a more adversarial posture.

6/9: Other priorities will include economic resilience, sustainable #trade, #health, effective multilateral action on #climate, & promoting #UK as a science & technology power. The reduced #aid budget will focus on the bottom billion & upstream prevention of threats.

7/9: On #defence, the uplift announced in November just plugs existing gaps. New spend will have to be matched by cuts. The focus will be on areas of particular UK strength or need - hi-tech aircraft, special forces & #cyber. The #navy will do well, the #army will not.

8/9: #Trade policy will emphasise growth markets & joining regional structures in #Asia & #IndoPacific. The great importance of the #EU market will be skated over. Expect a focus on technology partnerships, infrastructure hubs, UK education exports & leveraging aid.

9/9: The government wants #Whitehall to be faster & more joined up on international policy. The merger of FCO & DfID was a first step. Will #trade soon be folded in? In reality, competition between #CabinetOffice, FCDO & the Trade Department looks set to continue.