Ok #defence twitter, it's that time. The UK's Integrated Review of defence, security etc is back, and the inevitable chat about platforms, capabilities and fantasy fleets has started again. And, again, discussion of strategic priorities seems to take second place. So... 1/8

I am issuing a challenge to you all, with the inauguration of #StrategySunday. From now until the publication of the final Review document, I challenge you to post on a Sunday your view on UK strategic priorities and NOT talk about Service politics, kit or fantasy fleets. 2/8

What are the UK's vital defence interests, and why? What are the most important threats, and why? What are the top 2 or 3 priorities for UK Defence and what should be de-prioritised? Think geography, economy, and diplomacy, not capability. 3/8

Once you've done that, you can talk about tasks BUT you must be Service and platform agnostic. So, you can talk about defending a particular place, or tackling a threat, but not specify the means – you can talk about means on #TacticsTuesday if you want. 4/8

That’s it: the #StrategySunday challenge. I’ll chuck out a couple of prompts to start. The UK’s _vital_ defence interests are:
1. security of UK & territories
2. security of Atlantic, Europe, and Mediterranean littoral
3. free, safe movement of goods & services globally. 5/8

Key defence threats for the UK are:
1. international terrorism / violent extremism
2. Russian threats to the status quo in Eastern Europe
3. instability in North Africa and the Middle East 6/8
(Yes, that's a narrow definition of defence, but not everything needs the military...)

UK should therefore:
1. be an active partner in NATO and European defence
2. focus its defence efforts on the Atlantic, European mainland and Mediterranean, with a presence in the Gulf - only visits east of Diego Garcia
3. backfill commitments to allow US pivot to Asia 7/8

Over to you, #defence twitter. #StrategySunday 8/8