According to officials in London and Washington, the British government was instrumental in facilitating a three-way alliance with the United States and Australia to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific. This agreement came shortly after Australia scrapped a $66 billion deal with France for diesel-electric submarines, causing anger in Paris and satisfaction in London. This achievement marks a significant success for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his efforts to establish post-Brexit Britain as a key player on the international stage. Since leaving the European Union 18 months ago, Britain has been searching for its place in the world, with supporters of Brexit rallying around the concept of "Global Britain," which has been criticized as more of a marketing slogan than a coherent foreign policy. The agreement made on Wednesday between the United States and Britain to supply Australia with submarines solidified Britain's reputation as a military power with nuclear capabilities and a reliable ally of the United States. Additionally, this deal supported Prime Minister Johnson's efforts to establish a British presence in Asia, which initially appeared to be a nod to its colonial past. However, Britain has since secured trade agreements with Australia, Japan, and South Korea, and has deployed an aircraft carrier in collaboration with the United States to monitor China's activities in the South China Sea. According to Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to Washington, this marks a significant step in establishing a strong presence for "Global Britain" in the defense and economic sectors of the region. Darroch noted that the economic benefits of the agreement, such as job creation and financial gains for British industries, are still being negotiated with the United States. Joining a distant security alliance comes with costs and expectations for Britain, despite its shrinking military size and strained public finances due to the pandemic. However, being acknowledged by Biden after feeling overlooked during the Afghanistan withdrawal was seen as a positive return to relevance for the country. British officials viewed the alliance as a demonstration of their ability to navigate a post-Brexit world, even if it meant leaving behind a European neighbor. Australia initially approached Britain with the idea of collaborating on deploying nuclear-powered submarines, as they deemed the diesel models from the French deal insufficient for future security concerns involving China. Britain has had ties with the United States in nuclear technology since 1958, making it natural for the two allies to work together. The US will supply enriched uranium for the submarines' reactors. Britain and Australia made a strong case to Washington for this partnership, with discussions between Johnson and Biden at the Group of 7 meeting in Cornwall in June. British officials had to defend their decision against American officials who questioned why Australia couldn't just buy submarines directly from the US. One of Britain's arguments was that their military protocols closely align with those of Australia, making it easier for them to operate vessels with British technology. A Biden administration official stated 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 primarily a technical decision, but also noted that trustworthiness may have played a role. For Johnson, who values the "special relationship" with the United States, the submarine deal was seen as compensation for having his opinions on Afghanistan ignored by Biden. Johnson desired the withdrawal to be tied to conditions on the ground. Despite any disagreements, Johnson has affirmed that Britain will support Biden on his policies. One main focus is the rivalry with China, with Thomas Wright from the Brookings Institution commending the British strategy. However, some in Britain are concerned about the potential negative outcomes of this competition. Former Prime Minister Theresa May cautioned about the risk of being drawn into a conflict with China over Taiwan. Johnson previously believed that exiting the EU would enable Britain to have more autonomy in its dealings with China. Before Beijing implemented strict measures in Hong Kong, which used to be a British territory, Britain's China policy was nearly identical to that of the United States. Prime Minister Johnson aims to enhance Britain's reputation by hosting a successful United Nations climate-change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. However, it remains uncertain how much support he will receive from President Biden. Britain is urging the United States to increase its contribution to a $100 billion annual fund designed to assist countries in managing the effects of climate change. Analysts believe that Britain has not yet benefited from the appointment of Liz Truss as the new foreign secretary, despite her success in negotiating trade deals in Asia in her previous role. Truss replaced Dominic Raab, who was demoted after facing criticism for vacationing in Crete during the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. While Truss has her critics, former ambassador Peter Westmacott believes she is capable of strengthening Britain's global presence. Despite these developments, Britain still must navigate challenging geopolitical circumstances. The submarine agreement is expected to further strain the relationship between Britain and France, which is already tense due to disputes over fishing rights and migrants crossing the English Channel after Brexit. The French government's displeasure towards Britain was evident in its reaction to the alliance: it recalled its ambassadors to the US and Australia but kept its envoy to Britain, indicating that it sees Britain as a minor player in global affairs. Some analysts believe France is upset because it feels the US is rewarding Britain instead of punishing it for leaving the EU. Despite this, Prime Minister Johnson may also face challenges with Washington regarding Northern Ireland, where he is pushing for changes in post-Brexit trade agreements. During her visit to London on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated a warning that Congress would not approve a trade agreement between Britain and the United States if Britain threatened peace in Northern Ireland. Analysts noted that President Biden's treatment of Britain over Afghanistan and the lack of notice given to France before announcing a security alliance showed that the United States would prioritize its interests over trans-Atlantic relationships. Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and the Americas program at Chatham House, pointed out the differences in how Americans and Brits are discussing the issue, emphasizing that the special relationship between the two countries is not necessarily equal.