Well, comrades, the nation can sleep easier in its bed tonight, thanks to the efforts of KoW readers. This from the Green Paper:
In recent years we have increased our engagement with the media and the public to better inform them of the role we play across the world. But we could go further, including better use of formats such as social networking sites and blogs. Preparation of this paper, for example, benefited from discussion on the Kings of War blog. [p. 21]
My first thought is that the paper is sensible stuff indeed – as far as it goes, which is about as far as it can go at this point in the electoral cycle. The emphasis on influence and strategic communication caught my eye, of course. Anything in there stand out for you?
Update: From the MoD, we just received the following:
I wanted to let you know about the “commentable” version of the Defence Green Paper that we put up today:
http://defenceconsultations.org.uk
Rather than the usual PDF, this splits the document up into separately-commentable WordPress templates, so people can express a specific view on each of the chapters and big questions. It’s a lot simpler and more immediate than having to send an email, and lets contributors see each other’s thoughts..
Sounds good. But don’t let it stop you posting here too….
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Several things caught my eye, the most general being that it’s pervaded by a lot of equivocating, on the one hand this, on the other hand that, which (as you say) is to be expected at this point but which nonetheless I find frustrating. I am not the only one to be sure who fears that rather than making any decisions we are simply coasting into a situation where decisions will be made by default as reality forecloses the available options. But the part which really interests me is the chapter on ‘Partnerships’ which, frankly, I find dull and unimaginative. There seems to be no questioning our strategic alignment at all. Why not? This is so crucial and the debate now so facile. I guess I think that we really need some ‘blue-skies’ thinking here and I don’t really see it. By MOD standards I am told that this floats the boat out quite a lot more than the norm; in relation to the need for fresh thinking, however, it’s not enough. I don’t mean this as a slur on the writers who no doubt are working under various constraints. Meanwhile the antics of No 10 perplex and infuriate. Emperor Nero fiddles and all that.