While the UK and Europe can be proud of their role in Libya, there was a dependence on US support and this cannot be relied upon in future conflicts.

With an endgame in Libya now in sight, Chris Brown writes that while European forces have made a significant contribution to the campaign, they would have been unable to do so without the support of the US. This kind of American willingness to assist in similar campaigns in the future cannot be guaranteed; further cuts to UK defence spending will therefore undermine our ability to participate in any future independent European military actions.