The UK faces growing concerns about its dependency on US military and space cooperation, particularly in light of the isolationist rhetoric emerging from the Trump administration. Dr. Bleddyn Bowen of Durham University emphasized the historical significance of the US-UK relationship, particularly in defense and technology. He pointed out the UK's early Cold War decisions not to develop independent military capabilities, choosing instead to rely on American support. Bowen warned that any deterioration in relations could lead to significant structural problems for the UK's defense capabilities, making it essential to maintain strong ties with the US.
In many news pieces I've read in the last five, six months, many journalists have wanted to dispel the notion that there ever was a special relationship between America and Britain. But if you look at space, missiles, nuclear and intelligence - and also cryptography - that is where there really is a special relationship between Britain and the United States.
If things get to the point where UK-US relations do deteriorate, we will have a string of structural problems to deal with in terms of defense capabilities.
We are extremely dependent on the Americans, so maintaining that relationship whilst we are so dependent is of supreme importance.
In the early part of the Cold War, the UK decided not to pursue its efforts at being a satellite-launching state and also decided against pursuing a complete nuclear weapons capability.
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