Thread by @GaskarthJamie

The @RUSI_org Special Issue on the UK IR's 'tilt' to the Indo-Pacific is now available. This emerged from a workshop co-organised by @OpenUniversity and the @ConGeostrategy. We wanted to investigate what the tilt meant and how it is working. Here's a thread on the articles...

First up, my piece argues the importance of network analysis in foreign policy. The #integratedreview wants Brit for pol to be agile and make use of ad hoc groups and bilaterals but to 'tilt' effectively, you need to understand the networks in play, tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.10… 1/

Next, @MarSec_Bradford sets out the US perspective on the tilt and how the two countries are cooperating in the region. Although he argues the tilt was welcomed, he suggests it was not sold to US policymakers and there is still confusion over what it entails. 2/

@DrIanHall provides a lively history of UK-Australia relations and sets out the challenges of making AUKUS work. The UK needs to be realistic and realise there is a lingering fear of abandonment. Nevertheless, he's optimistic that this could be a real strategic partnership. 3/

@shetlerjones provides a great piece on UK-Japan relations. He notes the importance of shared values and charts the giant strides the two countries are making in defence and tech cooperation, driven by mutual concerns over China. 4/

@Laura_Southgate examines UK relations with ASEAN. Amazingly, the UK rose through the ranks of preferred strategic partner for countries in the region, overtaking Korea and India to place fourth in 2022. Emphasising soft over hard power would play better with these partners. 5/

Lastly, Catherine Jones uses alliance theory to warn that talking up the UK’s shared values with partners in the Indo-Pacific risks overplaying synergies, drawing the UK into extended and unsustainable commitments, and reducing its deterrence of adversaries. 6/

The articles are all available here and will be out in the journal soon. Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend! /End @OUPolitics, @OU_FASS
tandfonline.com/action/showAxa…