Defence policy when no good choice exists

The conclusion warns against treating decisions as simple contests between a wholly good and wholly bad option. Delay while searching for a painless solution can allow the underlying crisis to worsen. The defence example is the tension between preserving British Army regimental identities, funding enough troops to sustain them, and competing demands on taxation and public services. A mature strategic debate must acknowledge that leaders sometimes choose among costly outcomes, then explain those tradeoffs honestly enough for the public to judge them.