Wilkinson, Mark (2009) Playing the long game : UK secret intelligence and its relationship with chemical and biological weapons related foreign policy. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Abstract
This thesis considers the influence of secret intelligence on UK chemical and biological
warfare related foreign policy. Using the Butler Report, published in the wake of the
2003 Iraq War as a reference, a model of intelligence and foreign policy interaction will
be constructed. This model will then be used as a baseline against which to compare
the interaction of intelligence and foreign policy relating to chemical and / or biological
weapons from three case studies; the Soviet Union, South Africa and Libya.
Specifically, this thesis will consider how, in each of the three case studies: intelligence
linked to foreign policy, what role intelligence had in the termination / exposure of those
programmes, what factors might be seen to affect that relationship, and whether
intelligence might be seen to be representative of state power. The thesis will argue
that the 2003 Iraq War, as described by Butler, marked a paradigm shift in terms of the
relationship between intelligence and foreign policy. In particular, it will be argued that
the lead up to that war marks a transition in the function of intelligence from something
that had always worked to gather information to inform foreign policy to hunting for
information to directly support or justify a foreign policy decision that has already been
taken. Each of the three case studies will also show the intelligence and foreign policy
relationship is further influenced by other factors including personalities, organisational
structures and cultures as well as the perceived importance of that case study as a
political issue. The thesis will conclude by suggesting that the case studies examined
provide several policy recommendations; that HUMINT is essential in counterproliferation
efforts, that the development of technical specialists with UK intelligence
agencies is vital to prevent future proliferation crises, and that pre-emptive war places
such rigorous demands on the intelligence agencies it seems they are at present
unable to respond quickly enough – this requires urgent action if UK foreign policy is to
continue to purse counter-proliferation as a key objective.
| Item Type: | Thesis [via Doctoral College] (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations U Military Science > U Military Science (General) |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Intelligence service -- United Kingdom, Weapons of mass destruction, Review of intelligence on weapons of mass destruction, United Kingdom -- Foreign relations -- Russia, United Kingdom -- Foreign relations -- Libya, United Kingdom -- Foreign relations -- South Africa |
| Official Date: | September 2009 |
| Dates: | Date Event September 2009 Submitted |
| Institution: | University of Warwick |
| Theses Department: | Department of Politics and International Studies |
| Thesis Type: | PhD |
| Publication Status: | Unpublished |
| Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Aldrich, Richard J. (Richard James), 1961- |
| Extent: | viii, 293 leaves |
| Language: | English |
| URI: | https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/3373/ |
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