Schon länger will das britische Militär seine Präsenz „östlich von Suez“ (siehe IMI-Analyse 2013/16) wieder deutlich auszubauen. In dieses Bild passt die Ankündigung, nicht nur in der Karibik, sondern auch in Südostasien neue Militärstützpunkte errichten zu wollen, was von Russland nun scharf kritisiert wurde. Radio Free Europe (via Bpb-Newsletter) schreibt: „British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson told the Sunday Telegraph in December that Britain could establish the new military bases ‚within the next couple of years‘ after the country leaves the European Union. Williamson said the expansion would be part of a strategy for Britain to become a ‚true global player‘ after Brexit. (…) Speaking on January 11, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswomen Maria Zakharova said Williamson’s comments were baffling and warned that such plans could destabilize world affairs. ‚Of course, Britain like any other country is independent when it comes to its military construction plans. But against the backdrop of overall rising military and political tensions in the world … statements about the desire to build up its military presence in third countries are counterproductive, destabilizing, and possibly of a provocational nature‘.” (jw)