Should GB be a world power

According to this
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

we are 5th in the world. So yes, that makes us a world power, military wise in my opinion.

As a British person I would be ashamed to know that this terrorist group had taken over first the Middle East then God knows where and my country sat back and did nothing.

Why do we have to be a military world power? There are so many better things we could spend the money on.

Do you think that this country is a nice place to live in?

That's a different question to your OP. I often wish we had always been like the Swiss - kept out of the lot of it. At least since the end of the second WW. Too late now though. We're in it.

I am talking about GB.

We could do with a bit more sunshine soon.

There would be no point in spending on anything at all vq if we allow ISIL to run amok.
I don't believe that we should turn our backs on our neighbours whoever they are and hide our heads in the sand.

x post.

I agree that vq has somewhat changed questions, but she can.

I personally have a problem with those who do a lot of fence-sitting in life. Fair enough though, if people do not know which way they think is best.

Agreed jb!

and vq

oops, I mean rq

IMO we have great armed forces who could do a tremendous job in many circumstances, as they did, for example, in helping to organise things during the Ebola outbreak. They can train other countries' armed forces. They can be involved in peacekeeping operations. They can, if necessary, be involved in armed conflict. What we don't need is weapons of mass destruction aimed at Moscow and St Petersburg. We can't use them without America's say-so (President Trump, anyone?) and we can't use them in any conceivable circumstances anyway. They are of no use against terrorists. I think we should scrap them and invest the money as vampirequeen suggests, and also in our conventional forces. We need to call on NATO aircraft from elsewhere to escort Russian planes away from our coastlines!

If anyone really thinks that our WMDs deter ISIS and the like, may I suggest that you resite them near your grandchildren, rather than near mine? In the meantime, CND and SCND are always happy to have new members!

I'm sorry I should have been clearer in my OP. I meant a military power not an economic or cultural power

That is a shame, I thought the discussion of alternative strengths more positive than dismissing the UK as an insignificant country just because we no longer have the firepower of the 19th century.
So off topic, but I prefer to look at our positive, life- affirming assets. For me that is the future I would like to look forward to for my children and grandchildren.

No-one suggested that When did they - using wmd?

Just that I agree with soon about fence-sitting - we are part of a group of nations that wish for peace; we can't isolate ourselves from what is going on and exist in a bubble.

I agree that we shouldn't sit on the sidelines and let other countries bear the burden of ridding the world of this evil or any other evil come to that. Our armed forces are, without doubt, the best in the world, both in attitude, training, and commitment. How could we just take the attitude that the present troubles are somehow nothing to do with us? How could we expect other countries to finance, risk the lives of their men and women, and expect to be kept safe by them at no risk to ourselves? I actually think that would be shameful. So yes, I think we should have armed forces, small in number though they are, who will make a valuable contribution to the unenviable task of trying to keep us and the people of the country they're deployed in, safe.

I would like to hear the views of someone who has a son or grandson in the armed forces.

I have a 15 year old granddaughter who is planning on a career in the army, and son's partners daughter is a serving army officer. If either were deployed to a dangerous part of the world of course it would be a worry, but also a source of pride.

I am not sure/dont think it is a good idea for some to necessarily answer that Ab.

Thank you nigglynellie , hopeful much will resolved before your granddaughter enlists .

I wondered if there was anyone who had son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter serving now, they may be the boots on the ground in Syria

Don't you stb, I think it our be good to hear from someone who waited through the Afghanistan conflict and are now waiting to hear - where next

Why would it be good? Our children and grandchildren have to make their own decisions, and if they choose to join the forces so be it.

Of course their nearest and dearest worry, what else would you expect?

I'm afraid you won't be getting any comments from me, anniebach although I certainly fall into the category you mentioned.

Although I feel as I wrote in my post, I have to say that I do have reservations about Trident. I'm not sure what I think about whether we should keep it or not. Trouble is none of us have the crystal glass, so it's hard to know what is best.

I am sure there are many who have had members of the family in the Armed Services if not just at present. They are always on alert ready to be called anywhere if needed.

Because Ana, much was said by families of armed forces serving in Afghanistan, the calls by the public to - bring our troupes home , yes their choice but I wondered if mothers thought this mess in Syria was worth the deaths of their children