Falkland’s War Anniversary Update – Just War and National Interest

Since I seem to be The Politic’s resident anglophile, here’s another update on the 25th anniversary of the Falkland’s War. Historically it is a fascinating struggle that not only defined the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, but remains a case study in national self-determination (for the Falklanders) and the legitimate defence of sovereign national interest (for the UK). The celebration of this anniversary comes at a time when many in the Western world seem to think foreign aggression, be it militarily or state-sponsored terrorism, can be diplomatically placated just by trying harder to get our enemies to like us. Few commentators clearly distinguish between the virtues of liberal democracy and the evils of tyranny, a distinction that should regularly be drawn. As Thatcher reminds the British armed services on this anniversary:

The Falklands War was a great national struggle. The whole country knew it and felt it.

It was also mercifully short. But many of our boys – and girls as well, of course – are today stationed in war zones where the issues are more complex, where the outcome is more problematic, and where life is no less dangerous.

In these circumstances, they often need a different sort of courage, though the same commitment.

So, as we recall – and give thanks for – the liberation of our islands, let us also recall the many battle fronts where British forces are engaged today.

There are in a sense no final victories, for the struggle against evil in the world is never ending.

Tyranny and violence wear many masks. Yet from victory in the Falklands we can all today draw hope and strength.

Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave. …

In terms of real politik, apart from the just defence of the Falkland Islander’s self-determination, the UK has a real interest in keeping the islands. Not only are they militarily significant as a launch point into South America, the islands are rich in natural resource, be it tremendous fish stocks and potential oil reserves; even New Labour has this figured out. For those interested, here is a good travel log of the islands from The New Zealand Herald. And as to be expected, of itself anyway, here’s some of the BBC’s schizophrenic coverage of the anniversary: here outlining the military staging offered by the islands for the UK; here rapping the UK on behalf of “an Agentine historian’s perspective”—a dreamy-eyed disregard for the people who actually live on the islands and the long-standing British claim.

The world is a dangerous place where Western powers need to best grow their capacity to defend their national interest. For the UK, small outposts like the Falkland Islands, which it fortunately possesses all over the world, remain militarily vital, better than any aircraft carrier should a conflict arise.  And again, beyond national interest and as a moment in history, the Falkland’s War exemplifies the courage and fortitude necessary to defend liberal democracy from tyranny; the cost that comes from passively ignoring threats from abroad.