Center for a New American Security

I know, I know… as soon as you heard about the release of the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in October, you started checking here for a quick comparison to the 2010 U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) on energy issues. Well, now we’re giving it to you.

The first major takeaway is that the two documents are looking in different directions in time. The SDSR is addressing “energy security” in the future. Almost all statements begin with “we will.” Compare this to the U.S. strategy review: In its “Crafting a Strategic Approach to Climate Change and Energy” section, for example, the QDR frequently refers to initiatives the DoD has completed or are currently underway.

A few examples from the QDR (emphasis added):

“Working closely with relevant U.S. departments and agencies, DoD has undertaken environmental security cooperative initiatives with foreign militaries that represent a nonthreatening way of building trust, sharing best practices on installations management and operations, and developing response capacity.”

“The Department is improving small-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at military installations through our Energy Conservation Investment Program.”

“The Military Departments have invested in noncarbon power sources…”

Compare to the SDSR:

“… this section focuses principally on the specific changes that we will introduce in this area. In particular, we will…reprioritize bilateral diplomatic relationships…work to enhance oil price stability...work to mitigate disruption to the transit of energy supplies…establish stronger measures to ensure the resilience of energy infrastructure…”