Patrick Bury, Reader in Warfare and Counter-Terrorism at the University of Bath, discusses the trade-offs, policy considerations, and potential solutions shaping the future of national security.

With evolving geopolitical tensions, recruitment difficulties, and shifting societal attitudes, the UK armed forces currently face pressing challenges. Patrick explores the key trends shaping UK defence, from NATO’s uncertain future and the UK’s shrinking force size to the future of conscription and the disconnect between the public and the military.

Patrick is a Reader in Warfare and Counter-Terrorism at the University of Bath. He has over 20 years’ experience of working in the security sector as a practitioner, analyst and academic, and is a former British Army Captain and NATO analyst.