U.K., Argentina: Territorial Tensions Re-Emerge

Ahead of the April 2 anniversary of the invasion of the Falkland Islands, tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the islands are predictably on the rise again. For the next several years, the United Kingdom's capability to respond to potential threats to the Falklands will be limited by the lack of deployable aircraft carriers. Consequently, U.K. military planners will have to consider defensive contingencies. Military posturing between Argentina and the United Kingdom will increase ahead of the 2020 deployment of the Royal Navy's new Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which will increase the U.K.'s capacity to project power and respond to threats. Still, Argentina's economic challenges and the British military's ability to mount a significant response will prevent any actual conflict over the islands in the next five years.