Dec 25, 2018 - World

The security consequences of Brexit

Axios

Pro Brexit campaigners standing with signs outside the Houses of Parliament — Pro Brexit campaigners stand with signs outside the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Washington Post has a good look this morning at the consequences Britain could face from Brexit: it could be tougher to stop terrorists from entering the country, harder to keep strong sanctions against Russia, and more difficult to maintain strong military spending.

Why it matters: Britain is locked in on Brexit, with a departure date of March 29 — but it's not clear how many people who voted for Brexit knew it could lead to all of these consequences.

Between the lines: Here's why Brexit could lead to these outcomes, per policymakers and analysts interviewed by the Post:

Security could be tougher because British police and counterterrorism officials have been able to use a European Union database to check people at border crossings and traffic stops — but E.U. officials say they probably won't be able to keep sharing that much information with a non-member.
Britain has had a large role in shaping E.U. sanctions policy, and has made it more hawkish — but that influence will end when it leaves the E.U.
And if it takes an economic hit from Brexit, it won't have as much money to spend on defense. (One warning sign for Britain, per the Post: Vladimir Putin is encouraging as hard and fast an exit as possible.)

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The security consequences of Brexit

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