The last Strategic Defence and Security Review, published three years ago, identified four main areas of threat, including the evolution of extremist terrorism, the resurgence of state-based threats, the rapid advance of technology on all fronts and the erosion of the rules-based international order.The sixth edition of the Global Strategic Trends report recognises the danger of those threats, but also sets out how they are continuing to speed up and intersect to create new and unparalleled risks.It outlines how regional powers could develop nuclear capabilities with global reach, internationally accepted rules on chemical weapons are ignored, and non-state actors could acquire sophisticated missile technology. It also describes how the interaction between climate change, demand for resources and over-population drives competition, that could lead to conflict.UK Defence has always been at the forefront of global military capabilities and has risen to meet threats ranging from global conflicts, insurgent warfare, disinformation campaigns and offensive cyber. This has ensured the UK maintains a military edge over adversaries.The MOD’s thinktank, the Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre, worked on this comprehensive report for two years. They drew on a range of analysis across academia, business, government departments and nations from across the globe. The findings support those who formulate Defence policy, strategy and capability development, and includes a range of innovations. This has been evident in the development of the MOD’s Arctic Strategy, Space Strategy and approach to future autonomous systems.The MOD’s research teams used a suite of research methods to provide insight into alternate, plausible futures, watchpoints and discontinuities. Through this analysis UK Defence has identified key areas that have the potential to profoundly change humanity over the coming years.The sixth edition of the Global Strategic Trends report can be read here. This report makes clear that we are living in a world becoming rapidly more dangerous, with intensifying challenges from state aggressors who flout the rules, terrorists who want to harm our way of life and the technological race with our adversaries. Identifying these threats means we can continue to build an Armed Forces that can stay ahead of them. The ‘Future Starts Today’ report indicates that the world has reached a critical point in the need to tackle the evolution of threats faced in the current climate.Welcoming the report, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
The Batesville Lady Bulldogs spend another long night out, this time at conference foe Connersville, with mixed results.Varsity loses (1-2): 22-25, 27-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-13.In a hard fought match with so many good points, the end result makes ya feel bad. We did alot of things right to try to minimize errors and play consistent. Another extremely sound game on Defense with very few offensive accolades. Our ratios are a bit backwards, we should be having the number of kills we have in the dig column! Kids having close to 30 digs a match (Jena Ertel #11, and Morgan Meyer #3) and the highest offensive weapon with 14 kills in the match Morgan Meyer #3. Never been that backwards before but looking at it like a challenge, cause if that offense gets rolling, we will be hard to stop!JV wins (3-0): 25-16, 25-7 .Strong serving is pushing this group of young ladies to high levels. Picking up 8 of the 13 aces on the evening were Monica Gerstbauer #24 going 15/15 from the serving line with 3 aces, and Kelsey Shupe #9 was 11/12 with five aces.Freshman win (1-1): 25-20, 22-25, 15-14.The freshman are learning to calm their nerves and play cohesive. Part of the team success last night was riding on the digs of Grace Laudick #2 with 18 digs and Paige Stirn #1 with six timely saves.The JV and Varsity will welcome the golden Bears from Shelbyville for our home opener on Saturday 8/19 with a 10am Start.Courtesy of Bulldogs Coach Jody Thomas.