According to officials in London and Washington, the British government was involved in brokering the early three-way alliance with the United States and Australia to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific. The agreement was announced after Australia canceled a $66 billion deal for diesel-electric submarines with France, causing anger in Paris and satisfaction in London. This victory marks a significant milestone for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is set to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and address the United Nations next week. Since Brexit, Britain has been searching for a new role in the global stage, with the phrase "Global Britain" being seen more as a marketing slogan than a coherent foreign policy. The agreement made on Wednesday, in which the US and UK would provide submarines to Australia, solidified Britain's position as a military power with nuclear capabilities and a reliable ally of the US. It also supported Johnson's efforts to establish a British presence in Asia, a strategy that initially seemed like a nod to its colonial history. However, Britain has since negotiated trade agreements with Australia, Japan, and South Korea, and sent an aircraft carrier to assist the US in monitoring China's activities in the South China Sea. Former British ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, noted that this marks the beginning of establishing a more substantial presence in the defense and economic sectors in that region, although the economic benefits of the deal are still being determined in terms of job creation and revenue for British industries. Joining a distant security alliance also comes with costs and expectations for Britain, which is reducing its military size and facing financial challenges due to the pandemic. Despite this, being included in the alliance was seen as a positive return to importance for a country that felt overlooked by Biden during the Afghanistan withdrawal. British officials saw the agreement as a demonstration of their ability to navigate a post-Brexit world, even if it meant leaving a European neighbor behind. Australia initially approached Britain for assistance in deploying nuclear-powered submarines, believing that diesel models from a French deal would not be sufficient amid increasing threats from China. Britain and the United States have a longstanding relationship in nuclear technology dating back to a 1958 defense agreement. It was expected that the two allies would work together, as the United States will be providing the highly enriched uranium for the submarines' reactors. British and Australian officials made a strong sales pitch to Washington, including a discussion between Johnson and Biden at the Group of 7 meeting in Cornwall in June. Britain had to defend its decision to sell submarines to Australia rather than having Australia buy directly from the United States, citing that their military protocols are more closely aligned and it would be easier for Australia to operate vessels equipped with British technology. A Biden administration official clarified that cutting Britain out of the alliance was never considered by the White House. Bates Gill, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in Sydney, explained that the decision was mainly technical but may have also involved considerations of trustworthiness. The submarine deal was seen as compensation by Johnson, who values the "special relationship" with the United States. Despite feeling ignored by Biden on Afghanistan, Johnson has expressed support for Biden's policies. One main focus is competing with China, as mentioned by Thomas Wright from the Brookings Institution. The British approach has been praised, but some worry about the potential consequences. Former prime minister Theresa May cautioned about the possibility of being drawn into a conflict with China over Taiwan. Johnson has previously suggested that leaving the EU would enable Britain to have more autonomy in engaging with China. Before Beijing implemented strict measures in Hong Kong, which was previously under British rule, Britain's stance on China is now almost identical to that of the United States. Prime Minister Johnson aims to enhance Britain's reputation by organizing a successful United Nations climate-change conference in November in Glasgow, Scotland. 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 yearly fund designed to assist countries in addressing the effects of climate change. Analysts suggested that Britain may benefit from having a new foreign secretary, Liz Truss, who was praised for her work negotiating trade deals in Asia. Johnson replaced her predecessor, Dominic Raab, after criticism for staying on vacation during the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. Despite some detractors, Truss is seen as capable of adding substance to the concept of Global Britain. However, Britain still faces significant geopolitical challenges. The submarine agreement is expected to further strain relations with France, which are already tense due to disagreements following Brexit regarding fishing rights and migrant crossings in the English Channel. The French government's response to the alliance indicated their disapproval of Britain, as they recalled ambassadors to the US and Australia but kept the envoy to Britain in place, suggesting that they see Britain as a minor player in geopolitics. Some analysts believe France is upset because they feel the US is rewarding Britain instead of punishing them for leaving the EU. However, Prime Minister Johnson may also face challenges with the US, particularly regarding Northern Ireland and 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 endangered peace in Northern Ireland. Analysts noted that President Biden's casual treatment of Britain regarding Afghanistan, as well as the short notice given to France before announcing a security alliance, demonstrated 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, a British research institution, pointed out the disparity in how much the Americans versus the Brits are discussing these issues, highlighting the unequal nature of the "special relationship."