On the defensive

摘要

THE resignation on October 14th of the defence secretary, Liam Fox, almost a year after the publication of the landmark Strategic Defence and Security Review (sdsr), was the last thing either Britain's beleaguered Ministry of Defence (mod) or its armed forces needed. Dr Fox leaves behind much unfinished business for his successor, Philip Hammond, who may be a competent cost-cutter but who has no previous knowledge of military matters.