When Defence Cooperation Meets Political Use of the Past: British-Polish Relations in Times of Brexit

What is it about?

This paper aims to study how an event, happening within a political community characterized by a high level of interdependence, has an impact on the defense policy of its members. To do so, the paper focuses on the British-Polish defense relations after Brexit. Indeed, the United Kingdom has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Poland in 2017, which is the second one with an EU/NATO MS after the Lancaster House treaty signed with France. Hence this case-study questions the thesis positing that DCAs are unlikely to happen between NATO MS as it would lead to overlaps and decoupling. It also determines to what extent this treaty is part of a British strategy to re-create a security network in Europe after Brexit to deter Russia, which is considered as one of the main threat for both countries. Finally, this study deals with the political uses of history. The research analyses how British and Polish actors select memory deposits to consolidate friendship in time of uncertainty but also as a shaming strategy.

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