MoD spells out forces' role in the new world order

For the first time ever the Ministry of Defence has set out what it means by war, armed conflict and security, and what the armed forces are actually for. The Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Portillo, yesterday launched Britain's new, unified "Defence Doctrine". The timing of the launch was clearly designed to pre-empt Labour's call for a "strategic defence review" if it wins the general election.

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Willis, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, who oversaw the creation of the historic book, described it as "overarching, governing the principles by which our business is conducted and how it is conducted".

He said that during the Cold War, when the purpose of the armed forces was pretty clear, there had been little need for such a document, but this had changed, now that the world was a much more disorganised place.

British Defence Doctrine, MoD, pounds 9.50. Available from the Royal United Services Institute, London SW1A 2ET. Christopher Bellamy