Officials in London and Washington have stated that the British government was instrumental in forming a three-way alliance with the United States and Australia to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific. This significant agreement was made shortly after Australia terminated a $66 billion deal for diesel-electric submarines with France, causing anger in Paris and satisfaction in London. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sees this as his first real success in establishing post-Brexit Britain as a key player on the global stage. Since leaving the European Union 18 months ago, Britain has been searching for its place in the world, with the term "Global Britain" being used as more of a marketing slogan than a clear foreign policy. The agreement made on Wednesday between the United States, Britain, and Australia, in which submarines would be supplied to Australia, reaffirmed Britain's position as a military power with nuclear capabilities and a reliable ally of the United States. This agreement also supported Prime Minister Johnson's efforts to establish a British presence in Asia, a move that initially seemed like a return to its imperial past. However, Britain has since negotiated trade deals with Australia, Japan, and South Korea, and deployed an aircraft carrier to assist the United States in monitoring China's activities in the South China Sea. Former British ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, stated that this is the first step in establishing a stronger presence for Global Britain in the defense and economic sectors in that part of the world. Darroch also mentioned that the economic benefits of the deal, such as job creation and financial gains for British factories, still need to be determined through further discussions with the United States. Joining a distant security alliance brings costs and expectations for Britain, despite its military downsizing and financial struggles post-pandemic. However, the alliance is seen as a way for Britain to regain importance after feeling overlooked in the recent Afghan withdrawal by Biden. British officials view the deal as a demonstration of their agility in a post-Brexit world, even if it comes at the expense of a European neighbor. Australia initially approached Britain for help in deploying nuclear-powered submarines, as they believed diesel models from a French deal would not be sufficient in facing the growing threat from China. The longstanding relationship between Britain and the United States in nuclear technology stems from a defense agreement established in 1958. It was inevitable for the two allies to collaborate on this matter. The United States will supply the highly enriched uranium needed for the submarines’ reactors. British and Australian officials worked together to persuade Washington, with Prime Minister Johnson and President Biden discussing the matter at the Group of 7 meeting in Cornwall in June. Britain had to defend its position against American officials who questioned why Australia couldn't just purchase submarines directly from the United States. Britain argued that their military protocols closely align with those of Australia, making it easier for them to operate vessels equipped with British technology. A Biden administration official clarified that the White House never considered excluding Britain from the alliance. Bates Gill, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in Sydney, described it as a technical decision with possible implications for trustworthiness. The submarine deal was seen as compensation for Prime Minister Johnson after President Biden disregarded his views on Afghanistan, with Johnson emphasizing the importance of the "special relationship" with the United States. Despite some tensions, Johnson has affirmed that Britain will support Biden on his priorities. One main focus is the rivalry with China, as stated by Thomas Wright from the Brookings Institution. He commended the British strategy, but some in the UK may question if the potential consequences are worth the advantages. Theresa May, Johnson's predecessor, cautioned about the possibility of being drawn into a conflict with China over Taiwan. Johnson previously argued that exiting the EU would enable Britain to have more autonomy in its dealings with China. Before Beijing imposed strict measures on Hong Kong, a territory that was once under British rule, Britain's approach to China appeared to be very similar to that of the United States. Prime Minister Johnson is aiming to enhance Britain's reputation by hosting a productive United Nations conference on climate change in Glasgow, Scotland in November. However, it is uncertain how much support he will receive from President Biden. Britain is urging the United States to increase its funding to a $100 billion annual fund aimed at assisting countries in dealing with the effects of climate change. Analysts say Britain has yet to benefit from having a new foreign secretary, Liz Truss, who was praised for negotiating trade deals in Asia in her previous role. Despite criticism, Truss is seen as capable of adding substance to the idea of Global Britain. However, Britain still faces significant geopolitical challenges. The submarine agreement is expected to further strain France's relationship with Britain, which is already tense due to disagreements after Brexit regarding fishing rights and migrant crossings. The French government's disapproval of Britain was evident in its reaction to the news: it recalled ambassadors to the US and Australia but not to Britain, indicating that it sees Britain as a minor player in global politics. Some analysts believe France is upset because it feels the US is rewarding Britain for leaving the EU. However, Prime Minister Johnson may also face challenges with the US over issues in Northern Ireland related to post-Brexit trade agreements. During a visit to London on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeated a warning that Congress would not approve a trade agreement between the United States and Britain if the peace in Northern Ireland was put at risk. Analysts noted that President Biden's casual treatment of Britain in regards to Afghanistan and the lack of notice given to France before announcing a security alliance showed that the United States prioritizes its own interests over maintaining strong trans-Atlantic relationships. Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and the Americas program at Chatham House, emphasized the disparity in how much Americans are discussing these issues compared to the British, highlighting the unequal nature of the "special relationship."