Excl: Britain should look at reintroducing national service to boost public engagement with defence, says MoD-commissioned report.

Thoughtful study by Prof Sir Hew Strachan also suggests gvt creating a model NSC (like model UN). 1/? https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/call-to-bring-back-national-service-psjfvqls9

Lots of interesting analysis on "lack of mature debate" between gvt & public on defence.

Ministers accused of drawing more on a "mythologised memory" of WW2, than reflecting armed conflict as it is today.

Gvt has "convinced itself" public are reluctant to back cost of defence.

Report finds that, following the “uncertain outcomes” of post-9/11 conflicts in Iraq & Afghanistan, “the widespread perception exists that the British public doubts the utility of force, which threatens the armed forces with an existential crisis”.

It also suggests that, while well-intentioned, some military charities have characterised troops as victims and generated public sympathy, rather than empathy, for personnel.

The public mood "respects the armed forces but doubts the utility of military force".