UK Should Lower Expectations of Military Power, Says Military Chief


Perhaps lawmakers on Capitol Hill should listen to the U.K.'s General Nicholas Houghton, who has said that the U.K. won't be able to be involved in every conflict presented to it and that the British should lower their expectations of the British armed forces in light of government cuts.
From Reuters:
(Reuters) - Britain should have lower expectations of its military power because government spending cuts mean it will not be able to fight every potential war it faces, the new head of its armed forces said.
The European Union's biggest military spender is grappling with cuts which some of its top brass, as well as allies such as the United States, fear will make it difficult for it to fight another war on the scale of those in Afghanistan or Iraq.
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FEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeney!!!!!!!
Well that's some good news.
I'm certain General Nicholas Houghton (I choose to pronounce that "huffton") has an idea to remedy this dabacle. Something about austerity, and ending it.
+1 pronunciation
You do understand that "Dweebston" is an entirely British name...
"I do say, Dweebston, did I see you in Kensington a fortnight ago, putting a few coppers in the box and ringing up the Clark? Quite a cock-up, I'm sure."
"If this continues, we won't be able to keep up the arms race against our traditional enemies - the French."
Apparnetly, I'm making too many Yes, Minister references today...
You mean that if we followed their lead, we might no longer be the world's playground monitor? That would be excellent horrible.
The European Union's biggest military spender is grappling with cuts which some of its top brass, as well as allies such as the United States, fear will make it difficult for it to fight another war on the scale of those in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Great.
That's British for "every war the Yanks drag us into".
Britain isn't really "dragged" into anything. It's more like the little fat kid who idolizes the star football player and will do anything to be seen as his friend.
Is that American football or British football?
They dragged us into the Libya adventure last year.
They even had the nerve to plead for help because they couldn't get aircraft there - while towing an aircraft carrier past Libya to be scrapped in Turkey.
It's also English for every war they drag us into...
You're welcome for not speaking German, GB.
That's British for "every war the Yanks drag us into".
Forget the World Wars?
That is a realistic position for an armed forces that can fit all its members in Wembley Stadium. They will have enough of a chore keeping an eye on the Falklands, Gibraltar and those unruly devolutionist Scots!
I think the Scots are like the Quebecers in Canada now - Free to leave whenever they want.
You mean they won't leave because that means less free shit?
Yes - free shit other people (who they hate) are paying for.
British should lower their expectations of the British armed forces in light of government cuts.
Reminds me of an Eddie Izzard standup bit where he talked about what it meant to be British: Toning down your expectations.
Student: I want to be an astronaut and fly to the stars!
Careers counselor: Tone it down... tone it down... remember, you're British.
I want to have straight teeth!