Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organization will be gained without what I have called the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples ...a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. It should carry with it the continuance of the present facilities for mutual security by the joint use of all Naval and Air Force bases in the possession of either country all over the world. There is however an important question we must ask ourselves. Would a special relationship between the United States and the British Commonwealth be inconsistent with our over-riding loyalties to the World Organisation? I reply that, on the contrary, it is probably the only means by which that organisation will achieve its full stature and strength. - Winston Churchill
 |
| Winston Churchill/Harry Truman |
During the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the special relationship became even more vital for the United States who began to operate large numbers of military units and aircraft inside US bases within the United Kingdom. During this time the United Kingdom was called the 'largest aircraft carrier in the world' acting as a base for US bombers to strike at the Soviet Union with shorter-range aircraft able to launch nuclear weapons.
The launching of US aircraft from the United States has caused much controversy in the past when in 1986, the United States Air Force used RAF bases to launch F-111 aircraft to strike positions in Libya another controversy was using UK Airbases to re-fuel flights containing people abducted by the CIA.
 |
| Thatcher/Reagan |
Recently the United States showed the latest disregard for the national security of the United Kingdom when they agreed to give sensitive information to the Russians. In an incident released by wikileaks it was confirmed that the United States agreed to give information about every Trident missile the United States supplies to the United Kingdom. In 2009 the United Kingdom refused a diplomatic request to release this information to the United States, although it seems the United States has ignored this and carried on with the request by the Russian's who have attempted to gauge the specific size and details of the United Kingdom's nuclear arsenal. In one single move the United States has ignored the refusals of the UK Government
Another potential leak of information is with the completion of the national census. The involvement of US Company Lockheed Martin providing and managing the computer system used to extract the contents of the filled-in forms and store the results. The US Patriot act means that the US Government can examine any piece of information from US Companies like Lockheed Martin. This means that theoretically that information from the census could be openly available to the US Government and intelligence agencies like the CIA.
It's clear to me that the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom needs to be re-evaluated and reset so it benefits both sides not just one.
